Grand Parade Day was fun even after the sun went down

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THOUGH beginning more than two hours after its scheduled time yesterday (Jan. 1), the 2012/2013 Grand Parade did not fail to deliver an intriguing amalgam of gyrating waistlines, colourful costumes, intoxicating rhythms and thumping bass, cracking whips, twirling batons and swaying headpieces.

The starting point – as has been for years – was in the vicinity of the Patsy Allers Playing Field and onlookers, who were anxiously awaiting the passage of the extensive parade, expressed obvious excitement with a particular happening heralding its start.

After the Grand Marshall – who heads the parade – began making his way along the Grand Parade Troupe, various folklore troupes including bull troupes, masqueraders, clowns and mocka jumbies followed suit, pausing intermittently to display their traditional craft and talent.

Of course, no Grand Parade would be complete without the involvement of the Calypso Monarch, reigning Miss National Carnival Queen, reigning Miss Haynes Smith and the Junior Calypso King.

The streams of colour began flowing with the passage of the ICCS Majorettes and continued with Inferno’s Bailamos troupe. Splash’s Colour in Fantasy and Solid’s Life Unleashed – backed by the Kollision Band – were equally arrayed in their creative and eye-catching costumes.

Notwithstanding that it has been named one of the smallest in recent years, the participants of the Juniors Carnival left their mark on the Grand Parade of Troupes, sporting a variety of vibrant and imaginative costumes.

The Phunn People, as they have been affectionately dubbed, indeed appeared to be having loads of ‘phunn’ presenting their Exquisite Phunn Jewels for the viewing public, which was completed with a Queen of Bands and a King of the Bands costume.

And then there was Banker’s Mas’ Camp’s Til d Soil. As if the scintillating costumes were not enough to wow onlookers, it featured somewhat of a float upon which was carried a variety of locally-grown fruits and vegetables including green bananas, watermelon, ‘jelly’ and sweet potatoes.

A Queen of the Bands float was also an attraction of the troupe and musical entertainment was provided by the band known as the undisputed best of the 'Horny Band', the Grand Masters.

The Small Exe Band, known as the 'Sweetest Band in the World',  was the band of choice for Fusion’s Kittitian Roots, which rocked tones of blue, white, purple, gold, peach as well as the colours of the national flag.

Giving new meaning to the expression “D’ vibes can’t done”, was FhunnVybz’ SeaCrets troupe. Paired with the sweet sounds of the Nu Vybes Band International, SeaCrets was the last troupe to hit the Grand Parade trail. And from the looks of things, they appeared to have had just as much fun as their fellow mas’ players.

For about six hours, all the mas’ players went into downtown Basseterre to their personal party zone and, although the fun ended just about 9:00 p.m., there is yet one more round to be completed with lots of fun.

Today, all revellers and mas’ players are expected to be on the road again for the final activity for the Sugar Mas’ Festival, Last Lap.

It is also the day when the winners of the street activities would be announced. Some have already made predictions but only time will tell who will be the winners of this year’s Road March, the Most Colourful Troupe and the Largest Troupe.