BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE absence of the traditional “wet down” that follows J’Ouvert jams was not enough to dampen the spirit of revellers who came out in their numbers to participate in the Sugar Mas 44 J’Ouvert celebration.
SKNVibes understands that from about midnight (Dec. 26), celebrations had begun at the various band camps as a lead up to the road jam which was slated to begin sometime after 4:00 a.m.
As has become the norm, when the bands hit the road the crowds were relatively small, but as they made their rotations up Fort Street, right or left along Cayon Street, down either Church or West Independence Square Street, across the Bay Road and up Fort Street, the crowds built up to thousands.
A number of hi-fi systems, including Xtreme and Real Right Entertainment, brought the hype that is synonymous with J’Ouvert street jams.
But the GM Addix, Sugar Heads and Small Axe fans rallied around their bands as the Grand Masters Band, Nu Vybz Band International and the Small Axe Band belted out their tunes for Sugar Mas 44 touching the bodies of revellers causing waist gyrations, dancing and bouncing for which Kittitians have become known.
Seen as an outlet of freedom of expression, quite a number of revellers avoided the regular ‘J’Ouvert clothes’ and donned a number of interesting pieces including colourful wigs, an Incredible Hulk suit, paint, wolf masks and Red Cross nurse uniforms.
The infamous ‘potty’ or ‘po’ returned this year and was seen making its way up Fort Street in the hands of a particular male reveller, who had therein a beverage that he drank periodically. This publication was however uncertain if he were the same individual who drank from a po during last year’s J’Ouvert.
Members of both the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force and the St. Kitts and Nevis Defence Force were on hand to maintain law and order at the event. They were seen making their way through the large crowds and, in some instances, quelling skirmishes which would have arisen.
The officers were so close to the action that a couple of them were caught in the crossfire of water gun fun; apparently they were filled with paint and the officers got sprinkled in the process.
District ‘A’ Commander Superintendent Terrance James told SKNVibes that according to information he received, there was no major incident during the event but there were a number of scuffles which were quickly suppressed by the officers.
He said several persons were taken into custody but were eventually released and no criminal charges would be brought against them.
The next street activity, Junior Carnival Parade, will be held on Thursday (Dec. 31) while the Grand Parade and Last Lap Jam are slated fot Friday and Saturday (Jan. 1 and 2) respectively.
