BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THOUSANDS of revellers packed the streets of downtown Basseterre this morning (Dec. 26) in celebration of the most looked forward to event of the Carnival season, the Sugar Mas J'Ouvert.
With drinks in hand and painted bodies, revellers made their way through the streets jamming non-stop for hours with their favourite bands and hi-fi systems.
The turnout this year was undoubtedly larger than the previous few years and 'Magic Fingers' Ronnie Rascal had the largest following until the bands hit the road and pulled their fans with them.
The Small Axe Band clearly had a larger following than last year but, as always, the Sugar Band (Nu Vybes Band International) took the crown for the largest crowd.
As is customary, there were those who went above and beyond with their creativity, standing out in the crowd with extraordinary costumes.
Some revellers were dressed as super heroes, some wore monster costumes and some came out in their pyjamas. There were those seen in multi-coloured afro wigs while a group chose to portray prisoners.
Clowns and Mocka Jumbies and men dressed as women were also seen.
Onlookers made their way into town later in the morning, and many of them had travelled with children who looked on in amazement at the jam session as it progressed.
A few scuffles took place throughout the street jam but members of the Security Forces were on hand to keep the peace.
Shortly before the much anticipated Wet Down Session, one of the hi-fi systems, Tombstone International, gave the revellers a treat. The tractor stopped at The Circus and released foam for the revellers to bathe in which was followed by confetti.
Many of the excited revellers ran from all directions to take part in this surprise.
At 10:40 a.m. Ronnie Rascal made his way to Bank Street and called on all interested revellers to 'ready up' for the Wet Down Session.
When the water show began, revellers ran onto Bank Street from all angles and jammed to the sweet music of SKB while they washed away the evidence of the morning's jam session.
Many came prepared for a bath as they were seen with bars of soap washing the paint from their bodies and assisting those less sober to do the same.
Those who did not participate in the wet down session 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 closed off, signalling the end of what can be deemed another successful J'Ouvert.
With inebriated and tired bodies, revellers were seen resting on sidewalks or, in some instances, as close to the sidewalks as they could manage before falling asleep.
Others patronised the various vendors in an attempt to soak up the spirits they had been consuming since the wee hours of the morning before making their way home.
