With more colours, characters and clean fun than modern mas, hundreds of children flooded parts of San Fernando as it was their turn to revel on the Carnival stage.
Despite the hot sun yesterday, jubilance and energy were displayed as 18 bands from around south Trinidad enjoyed the Junior Parade of the Bands competition held by the San Fernando City Corporation, which culminated with their best performances at Skinner Park.
Children as young as 18 months old revelled with their parents, teachers and bandleaders, among them Energy Minister Nicole Olivierre who accompanied her son Shomarie, three and daughter Shayera, nine, who played mas with House of Jacqui’s presentation, House of Jacqui’s 50th Anniversary.
Admitting that her busy schedule as a minister and MP keeps her away from her children, she said she dedicates Carnival to sharing an experience with them. She said the last two weeks have taken them to mas around the country.
“This is the third year my kids have been playing mas in San Fernando and it is great. I like the spirit, I like the energy and it’s really good that we have been able to really spread out the Carnival throughout all the villages. We will be going to St Joseph, then we will be going to Chaguanas and Couva.
“Yesterday after downtown, we went to Gasparillo. Last week we went to Barrackpore, earlier in the week we were in Penal. It is really excellent that every area has it own little children’s Carnival and that really augers well for the future of the mas.
“The least I can go is give them (her children) Carnival. I don’t have much time for them during the year, but Carnival I give to them,” Olivierre said.
Taking the streets first was Reflexionx with their presentation of We Dancing and the children definitely portrayed their theme with style, dancing and frolicking along the road. Carivog Kids’ Mama Look Mas Coming brought back that 1980s splendour of mas with costumes that clearly depict characters such as the scarecrow and sailors.
Eckles Village AC Primary School dedicated their presentation to the late San Fernando mas and fashion designer Dexter Jennings who died of diabetes at age 47 last year.
Jennings was the leader of Jennings Mas and Associates band, the owner of The Concepts Studio, a pioneer of the Miss Mature beauty pageant and produced Easter bonnet parades, Kiddies Carnival events and supported a host of charities.
The school’s tribute presentation, titled Dexter Laboratery featured aspects of Jenning designs from years gone by, including Knight in Shining Armour, Pan, Day or Night and Cheeky Chong. Soca star Machel Montano also had to his glory as Siparia Boys’ RC presented Journey with Machel Montano Through the Years.
The colourful portrayals represented aspects of his past music, including aliens from the song Out of Space featuring Jamaican dancehall artiste Beenie Man. The King of the band was a well made effigy of Montano.