BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE 14th Annual Green Valley celebrations came to an end last night (May 24) with Last Lap, and the Parade of Troupes held earlier in the day through the streets of Cayon.
The Parade of Troupes started sometime after 4:00 p.m. from St. Mary Park in Lower Cayon and made their way up to the main road and down to Lover’s Lane. They then climaxed at the Festival Village, where each troupe went on stage and danced for almost five minutes.
A total of five troupes paraded the streets, including ‘Do As You Like’, ‘Soccer Girls’, ‘Selling Pipe’ and ‘Crime Fighters’. The event also included masquerades, clowns and a number of individuals parading with their unique self-made costumes.
A big hit for the parade was a big white cock made out of iron, paper and plastic, and pushed around on wheels by one man. Some individuals claimed that the cock was a symbol of the famous huge white cock in Upper Cayon that is rumoured to be a “talking cock”.
The Kollision Band and Grand Masters Band provided music for the revellers, along with Ruff House Sounds out of Cayon.
The Green Valley Festival took place from May 8 to May 24 with a number of events, including the Miss Green Valley Queen Show that was won by Ivanka James, and the Senior Calypso Monarch Competition, which saw Singing Angie retaining the crown.
Vernon Benjamin, who has been the Green Valley Chairman since 2000, said he already has a committee looking at the programme for next year. “We will also be advertising online to get persons from all over to come to Green Valley next year. We would also look at new initiatives to make the festival better.
He said next year would be his last as Chairman when the festival would be celebrating its 15th anniversary.
