Brian MacFarlane's India - The Story of Boyie was among the crowd favourites for the Band of the Year title at yesterday's Parade of the Bands competition in Port of Spain.
By Roxanne Stapleton and Ruth OsmanAlso making statements were Trini Revellers with its portrayal of The French Revolution and Tribe's Ole Time Something Come Back Again.
MacFarlane's offering garnered the day's only rousing applause and standing ovations at the various venues-Adam Smith Square, Princes Building Grounds and South Quay.
His intricate, regal designs, elaborate headpieces and standards and elephant chariots also garnered widespread praise.
As his masqueraders graced South Quay, he too seemed happy at the glorious effect of the rich kaleidoscope created by those prancing in his breath-taking designs, after months of hard work and late nights at his mas camp seemed to pay off in the twinkling of an eye.
The Downtown Parade of the Bands was well on its way at 8.45 a.m. yesterday, with large band Legacy's Hiawatha crossing the South Quay stage.
The Mike "Big Mike" Antoine and Juliet de la Bastide-led band borrowed some history from native American Indians and adorned their masqueraders in plumes of all colours and variations.
Legacy's presentation lasted for all of 45 minutes, much shorter in comparison to its other offerings of previous years.
The flow of bands remained constant throughout the day and spectators voiced their pleasure at the fact that there were no lulls.
Tribe's Ole Time Something Come Back Again took one hour and 45 minutes to cross before judges at the Downtown judging point, while Island People's Sahara was close behind, taking one hour and 35 minutes to do the same.
While the rains came at 12.05 p.m. and the downpour lasted for just about 40 minutes, it did not put a damper on celebrations, as revellers seemed to jump, chip and dance even more heartily.
Security was also thick at South Quay, as both the police and Defence Force jointly patrolled the area.
There were no initial reports of violence, scuffles, stabbings or fatalities.
Crowds along Independence Square, Frederick, Henry and Charlotte Streets were visibly thinner this year, when compared to years gone by.
Many spectators could not say whether the smaller crowds were as a result of the removal of the Queen's Park Savannah stage or whether people had stayed away from the festivities altogether, due to the current crime wave.
There was also a marked decrease in the number of European and American tourists coming through the streets in search of the colourful costume creativity, for which Trinidad and Tobago Carnival has become well known.
