There was nothing but madness, crazy fun and excitement on the roads of Kingston on J'ouvert morning when soca fans took to the streets armed with their paint, water and just about anything they could find to dose each other.
By Teino EvansThe excitement on the road was intense this year as Supreme Ventures Jamaica Carnival, in association with Digicel, presented 'Jamaica Carnival KFC J'ouvert', featuring live performances from Byron Lee and the Dragonaires.
Patrons by this time, some minutes after 4 a.m. on Saturday, were soaked in paint, soaked with water and were jumping and gyrating with their partners and peers to the sound of soca and dancehall music courtesy of three huge music trucks.
The set-up started along Knutsford Boulevard, moved onto Trafalgar Road, along Old Hope Road and down Lady Musgrave Road.
Patrons knew 'It's di road calling' and were having the time of their life on 'J'ouvert morning' as the men extended open invitations to the females asking, "Why don't you come over, I'm a bachelor" while the females simply told their fellow females to Roll it gyal.
The soca fans were so caught up in all their revelling, wining and gyrating and just acting crazy, that some innocent bystanders were caught in the madness.
One man almost got into a fight with some of the revellers as a male and his female partner used his car that was parked along Knutsford Boulevard to brace themselves as they gyrated on each other.
Well, other motor vehicle owners were not so lucky as some cars were splashed in yellow and blue paint, while one male was seeing heading in the opposite direction of the road march as he retraced his steps in search of his car key.
For others, it was all about the fun and excitement before them, as persons were seen lying in the middle of the road, wining on each other, while females had no problem with the guys squirting water on their chest area until it was fully soaked.
The Byron Lee and the Dragonaires band was also very entertaining as patrons at the final stop used the showcase on the truck, from which they performed, to refresh themselves and catch their breath, as the band played a number of soca favourites.
It was not until the sun came out and the heat of its rays was felt that many decided to try and pull themselves away from the action. The all-night soca party had now ended in bright daylight.
