BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE National Carnival J'Ouvert is a time to 'wine and get on bad', let loose and jam for hours on end, and that is just what happened when thousands of revellers hit the streets of downtown Basseterre today (Dec. 26) to celebrate quite possibly the most looked-forward to event of the year.
The turnout did not appear to be as large as the previous years but, as the music from the various bands and sound systems reverberated through the streets, revellers partied non-stop with drinks in hand, painted bodies and some displaying characters of all types.
'Magic Fingers' Ronnie Rascal's Generation Xtreme was, as always, the first to make its way into Basseterre kicking off the J'Ouvert Jam at around 4:00 a.m., but the Grand Masters Band was the first to hit the judging route.
Many persons are already saying that the band from Under The Sea would be the one to take the Road March Championship this year, as they have been frequenting the judging points’ area.
The Red Devils sound system appeared to have had the majority of the crowd, but that was until the Nu Vybes Band International joined the celebration. The band was the last to strike up but managed to pull the 'real Sugar Heads' from all angles.
By the time the Sugar Band hit the road, it undoubtedly had largest following. And while on Fort Street, the thoroughfare was filled to capacity with jammers, which caused the usual 'wukking up and getting on bad' movements to be restricted to bouncing.
Many of those jamming behind the Small Axe Band were seen with soaps tied to strings to compliment the Bands most popular song, ‘The Soap Drop’.
Although Nu Vybes had the largest crowd, those who danced with the Grand Masters Band appeared to have had the most fun.
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 costumes, some wore high-coloured afro wigs and some were dressed as doctors, clowns and jokers.
Some men were dressed as women, while some of the women donned the skimpiest outfits; many in fishnet stockings and boys’ shorts.
Troupes for this year's J'Ouvert included Ronnie Rascal's Xtreme J'Ouvert Troupe, Red Devils and Angels, Shiggidy Shack's Winnjammers, The Biggest Loser, Love Parade and Stay in the Best Caribbean J'Ouvert Troupe.
A few scuffles took place throughout the street jam but members of the Security Force were on hand to keep the peace.
The much-anticipated wet down session took place at the usual spot, Bank Street, a little after 9:00 a.m., where 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.
When the music came to an end, signalling the end of what can be deemed another successful J'Ouvert, 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 the wee hours of the morning.
There was a small group of persons who refused to accept the fact that J'Ouvert is over, as they made their way up and down Fort Street blowing their bugles and whistles.
The National Carnival events continue with Rockaway taking place tonight at Cloud 9 VIP Hall down on Port Zante.
