BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - DECEMBER 26 has always and continues to be one of the most looked forward to days of the year, as it is the time when persons let loose and 'get on bad' at the National Carnival J'Ouvert.
This morning (Dec. 26) was no different as thousands of revellers made their way through the streets of Basseterre at the Sugar Mas 41 J'Ouvert jam session.
With drinks in hands, painted bodies and some displaying characters of varying types, Kittitians and Nevisians partied like there was no tomorrow, jamming from the wee hours of the morning until the sun was at its hottest.
This year's turnout greatly exceeded that of last year’s and as the music from the various bands and sound systems reverberated through the streets, the crowds just kept on growing.
As always, 'Magic Fingers' Ronnie Rascal's Generation Xtreme was the first to make its way into Basseterre, winding down the pre-jam session and kicking of J'Ouvert at around 4:00 a.m.
His sound system was soon followed by some of the bands, which quickly made their way to the judging route, blasting their Road March contenders at each point for the judges to score.
Many persons predicted that the Grand Masters Band, which currently hold the Road March title, would not be winning again this year as the Small Axe Band's song Drop, Cover, Hold On is no doubt the most popular "wilders" for the Carnival season and was heard the most at J'Ouvert, especially at the judging points.
The Small Axe Band appeared to have had the largest following until the Nu Vybes Band International pulled its 'Sugar Heads' from all angles.
By the time the Sugar Band made their second round on Fort Street, it undoubtedly had largest following. Coming up Fort Street, the thoroughfare was filled to capacity with jammers, causing the usual 'wukking up and getting on bad' movements to be restricted to bouncing.
The crowd was so dense while travelling south to north on Fort Street that persons jumped over the fence of the Circus Grill and jammed there until the band passed by.
Although Nu Vybes had the largest crowd, those dancing with Small Axe appeared to be enjoying themselves the most, as they all obeyed the song's chant and dropped, covered an held on each time it was commanded of them.
As expected, there were those persons who went the extra mile with their outfits, standing out in the crowd with extraordinary costumes.
A few were seen wearing monster masks, some men wore wigs and some were dressed as women, while some of the women donned the skimpiest outfits, many in fishnet stockings and boy shorts.
A few scuffles took place throughout the street jam but members of the Security Force were quickly on the scene to keep the peace.
The much anticipated wet down session took place at the usual spot, Bank Street, a little before 10:00 a.m. Persons flocked the area to wash away body paint and to cool down from the hours of non-stop jamming.
Those who did not partake in the wet down jammed in front of and behind the bands and sound systems that continued to make their rounds on the road until midday.
Inebriated persons were seen resting on the sidewalks, while others patronised the various vendors in an attempt to soak up the spirits that they have been consuming since in the wee hours of the morning.
The Sugar Mas 41 celebration continues tomorrow evening with the National Carnival Queen show at the Sugar Mill in Warner Park.
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