Tobago Correspondent
Tobago’s J’Ouvert filled the streets of Scarborough with colour, energy, and pure celebration yesterday morning.
Revellers hailed it as the best way to start the island’s Carnival celebrations, as they were able to have fun with a strong police presence ensuring that they were safe.
Thousands of masqueraders and spectators filled the streets for a time of revelry and release. Several of them said the quality of Tobago’s third annual October Carnival had improved.
A security blanket across the town provided a welcoming sense of comfort and even former commissioner of police Gary Griffith gave the event top marks.
“What I have seen so far, it’s absolutely ten out of ten. Makes me wonder why anyone would continue to question the calibre of the TTPS. What I have seen so far is that they have been on the ball,” he said.
“After what Tobago has been through so far this year, this was needed. Tobago needed to exhale.”
The energy yesterday morning was electric as revellers hit the streets.
A masquerader who flew in from the United States to be a part of the One Fog Angels band promised to be back.
“I will be back again, even year imma (sic) make it my duty to be back here for the Tobago Carnival,” he said
Another masquerader said: “This is the first time I’m coming to Tobago to enjoy myself for Carnival, so we out and bad.”
Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Education Secretary Zorisha Hackett said it was her first time since becoming an assemblyman that she was playing J’Ouvert and she was bursting with pride at what Tobago was able to achieve in only three years.
“I am so proud that Tobago is able to have something to call our own. This year three we have so much to grow from here,” she said.
President of the Tobago October Carnival Association Dexter Sandy said there were no challenges and the bands and spectators enjoyed the event.
“Tobago is in all its glory this morning and I must say all our masqueraders are happy. The bands are enjoying themselves so Tobago today we have achieved it,” he said.
Bandleaders were thrilled with the huge turnout, calling this year a defining moment for Tobago’s Carnival.
Fog Angels bandleader Telly Cruz said all the stakeholders’ hard work is paying off.
He said: “Over 4,000 persons played with Fog Angels, so it’s definitely more than last year. It means we are growing, we are doing something good and Tobago we are doing this for you.”
The Carnival celebrations continued last with hundreds at Rhythm, Steel and Powder as well as night mas in Scarborough.