Traditional mas came to life as a host of Carnival characters took part in the Nostalgia Parade, which started at the Piccadilly Greens, Port-of-Spain and made its way uptown to the Adam Smith Square in Woodbrook yesterday.
Around 10 am the bands, comprising figures from Carnival’s early history, chipped and danced their way up Ariapita Avenue toward the Square, much to the delight of many tourists and locals alike.
Even children lined the streets, as they looked on in amazement as the figures crossed in front of the judges' stand at Adam Smith Square, playing such classic Carnival characters such as Jab Jabs, Dame Lorraines, Baby Dolls, Midnight Robbers, Blue Devils and many others.
During the performances there was also a mixture of old Kaiso music and modern day Soca, including many favorite tunes from popular artistes.
Not even the overcast skies could have stopped the bands from transforming the city's streets into a mesmerising sea of bright, flowing colours as Fancy Indians and Dame Lorraines paraded to the delight of hundreds of onlookers.
Others, in true Carnival spirit, personified their roles, adding a sense of realism to their performances.
Jab Jabs aptly displayed their skill as they cracked and twirled their whips. One group even staged a thrilling show of 'whip fighting' that wowed the crowd. And also keeping with tradition, many of the Blue Devil sections opted to perform without the assistance of a DJ, but rather made music by beating tins pans as they 'stalked' in front of the judges, skillfully blowing fire into the air from their lit pitch forks and flambeau torches.
Just before 1 pm the last of bands had crossed the stage. One judge said the Nostalgia Parade has grown over the years, as some six years ago years ago there were a handful of groups taking part in the parade.
Now there are close to 30 groups competing in a tradition which began, “Behind the Bridge,” a place where Carnival was said to have begun.
Yesterday’s parade took the original route of Mas, starting off at the Piccadilly Greens, then proceeded behind the bridge onto Duke Street, turned right at Edward Street, then left onto Park Street, proceeded west and finally onto Ariapita Avenue to Adam Smith Square in Woodbrook.