The Socadrome, filled with soca music and real party vibes, yesterday set the perfect celebratory mood for a young couple.
Amongst scores of revellers in the large band Tribe, at about 11.45 am, 26-year-old Kareem Ali emerged from a music truck holding a sign towards the stage which read “Carissa marry me?”
Ali’s girlfriend, Carissa Housian, who was also playing with the same section, immediately shouted “Yes!”
The on-stage proposal caused a double dose of frenzy amongst the masqueraders who witnessed the life-changing event for the young couple.
Also, for the first time in three years, the Socadrome, held at the Jean Pierre Complex, Port-of-Spain, recorded the largest turnout ever since its inception.
There was an explosion of colour not only on stage but in the stands.
Children were seen dancing to the sound of Machel Montano’s “Waiting on the Stage,” the runaway Road March leader.
Some of the little ones, to their amusement, were seen catching the colourful confetti that came across the stage over the masqueraders into the stands. Their squeals of excitement and outbursts of laughter sometimes overpowered the music.
From as early as 7 am, spectators began arriving at the Socadrome to secure themselves that perfect spot in the stands so they could get a good view of some of T&T’s largest bands displaying their wonderfully designed costumes.
Speaking with the T&T Guardian yesterday, George Baldwell, of Brooklyn, said he was basking in the Socadrome experience.
“I was here last year but this year is just so awesome. It is like one big party concentrated in one area, which is just perfect for my family and I,” Baldwell said.
Another spectator from Arima, Gemma Alexis, said she surely did not regret choosing to go to the Socadrome this year and promised to return next year. All the way from Australia, David Morgan said it was his first T&T Carnival experience.
“Socadrome is filled with so much energy. Just have to come again. The people are so friendly and I can see they love to party,” Morgan said.
South band leader Lionel Jaggessar, with his traditional mas of the Apache Indians, kicked off the day’s proceedings, crossing the stage at 8.13 am.
Rosalind Gabriel’s children’s band Another Day in Paradise then graced the stage at 8.40 am.
Large band Bliss, with their presentation Secret Garden, followed at 9 am. It took them about 35 minutes to cross the stage.
Yuma’s Indulge got on stage right after, lasting for close to one hour. A 90-minute presentation of The Forbidden by Tribe followed.
Two other bands, Lost Tribe and Harts, were also carded to cross the big stage. Hundreds of patrons passing through the Socadrome during the day were also entertained with portrayals by traditional mas characters, including Blue Devils, Bats and the Midnight Robber; extempo by Lingo and Black Sage; the Brimblers Steelband and Roy Cape All Stars featuring Blaxx and Ricardo Drue.