BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - A ridiculously late start of the Grand Parade event on Wednesday (Jan. 1) left organisers no choice but to truncate the route, practically cutting it in half, and causing disappointment to many residents of Newtown.
The parade - which began at the Patsy Allers Play Field - was scheduled to commence at 1:00 p.m. but it did not begin until sometime after 3:00 p.m.
It flowed down Cayon Street and onto West Independence Square Street and was to have flowed across South Independence Square Street, up East Independence Square Street, across Pond Road, down Sandown Road and right along the Bay Road. And having gotten there, each troupe would have gone on the stage and perform for the audience.
Some of the folklore groups and the Immaculate Conception Catholic School Majorettes had already filed onto South Independence Square Street when they received word that the parade would flow down West Independence Square Street and right along the Bay Road to the performance area.
Deputy Chairman of the Carnival Committee, Ivor Blake told SKNVibes that had the decision not been taken, all of the troupes would not have been able to complete the circuit and arrive at the Bay Road performance area before the cut-off time.
“Given the late start, we figured there was no way they were all going to complete the circuit in the given timeframe. So we shortened the route to allow each troupe and the bands to perform at the Bay Road which was one of the judging points.”
Each troupe and or band - having completed their performance - moved along the Bay Road, up College Street Ghaut and onto Liverpool Row then up Fort Street.
Sugar Mas’ 42 concluded yesterday (Jan. 2) with the bands, troupes and other revellers enjoying the Las’ Lap jam through the streets of Basseterre.
That session ended shortly before 10:00 p.m.
