Like the masqueraders and onlookers who thronged to the streets of Port-of-Spain early yesterday morning, police officers came out in their thousands to oversee the opening of the last two glorious days of Carnival 2004...
News Source: Trinidad Guardian
This year, security reasons again saw Carnival?s opening getting off to a late star? 5 am?one hour later than last year?s J?Ouvert launch, and at least three hours later than the 2 am beginnings just two years ago.
But this did not deter masqueraders, who came out in their glory, men and women, boys and girls, some strong; others in wheelchairs, old and young, prominent faces, tourists and locals, dancing on the streets in sheer bacchanal and joy.
Ole mas characters stuck to their traditional political caricatures, this year drawing inspiration mainly from the shutdown of Caroni 1975, Ltd, the fishing dispute between T&T and Barbados, and, on the international scene, the capture of Saddam Hussein.
Blue devils and Jab Molassies, rattling chains and beating pans with sticks and irons, baring ugly red gums and huge yellow teeth, wielding forks, fake cutlasses and swinging tails, were also out in their terrifying splendour.
The bands themselves stuck to J?Ouvert tradition?almost all had mud sections, many of the large bands had pretty costumes, and bottles, cups and buckets of paint of various colours.
By 5 am, masqueraders were ready to go, hitting the parade routes with zest, wining and grinding to the sounds of steelpan, soca and iron rhythm sections, muddying and painting anyone in their paths they thought looked too clean.
However, at least two large bandleaders said they were still dissatisfied with the 5 am start.
One, who asked that his name not be used, said he had been bringing out a large J?Ouvert band for the last 18 years, and this year was the most stressful.
?It was very difficult, but it worked out eventually,? he said, admitting that it was only because ?I did break the rules. I have to let them know that I did break the rules.?
His band, which had 1,100 players, came out at 5 am, but did not stick to the designated parade route.
?That was because I realised I was getting stuck up in certain areas, so I decided to go in areas I wasn?t supposed to go.
?For instance, I went down into Sackville Street.?
?They have to realise that Monday morning (fancy mas) bands come out at 10 o?clock, so it is difficult for me and other big J?Ouvert bands to come out at 5 am and finish for 10 am,? he added.
Another popular bandleader said he was not impressed by the security measures.
?It wasn?t good at all. There were no police. I hadn?t seen a police until I reach in South Quay,? he said.
He was also critical of National Security Minister Martin Joseph, who, he said, ?never discussed anything with J?Ouvert morning band leaders, and I?m very disappointed with him.?
To qualify for the competition, the results of which will be announced by today or tomorrow, the bands not only had to adhere to the official parade route, but pass by the two judging points in downtown?at South Quay, where the judges and stands were perched opposite RBTT carpark, and at the Broadway and Independence Square intersection, where the National Carnival Commission judges sat.
It did not take them long to declare Crime Stoppers-sponsored Claire Boyce as the Queen of J?Ouvert and ?Businessmen Pledge To Go Against Crime? Franklin Jones as King of J?Ouvert.
Three soca tunes were in obvious running for the Road March?Machel Montano?s ?Insane/Craziness,? Shurwayne Winchester?s ?Look de Band Coming? and Destra Garcia?s ?Bonnie and Clyde.?
Apart from the pan and iron and steel, jubilant masqueraders seemed to want to hear nothing else but these three infectious tunes.
