CHARLES KONG SOO
charles.kongsoo@guardian.co.tt
The T&T Red Cross Children's Carnival fondly known as Kiddies Carnival got off to a late start around 12:15 than the scheduled 11 am at the Queen's Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain, yesterday.
After two years with no kiddies mas, the junior masqueraders were rearing to go and took to the stage in all their colourful splendour and glory.
Their glee was evident on their smiling faces as they jumped and danced in joyful abandon in front of a modest, but appreciative and enthusiastic audience.
Not even the rain could put a damper on the event when the sixth small band Dat Is Ah True appeared on stage accompanied by some rainfall. Accompanied by white gossamer-clad dancers, and Bele dancers, the band's La Reine Rive queen's costume was majestic, and the masquerader portrayed the character with aplomb.
The colourful Moko Jumbies showed their skill in maintaining their balance and dancing on the slippery stage.
El Puente (Spanish for The Bridge) a small band that promotes integration between Venezuela and T&T through art and culture had eight Venezuelan children and eight T&T children portraying little Burrokeets and Mokitos (little Moko Jumbies).
Another small band D Return of D Burrokeets was also filled with Burrokeets and Tribute to The Heroes of Traditional Mas was replete with other traditional Carnival characters such as dragons, Fancy Indians, Bookman and Midnight Robbers.
Tourism Minister Randall Mitchell was in praise of the Red Cross Children's Carnival and the children's parade.
Mitchell said "I love it. It's reminiscent of the days when I played Kiddies Carnival. I played Kiddies Carnival here once, but I played all through primary school in San Fernando.
"I absolutely love it. I was looking for snow cone and cotton candy because those are memories I have. Absolutely beautiful.
"The costumes are pure creativity; this is us, our culture, our mas. We at the ministry are proud sponsors of the Red Cross Kiddies Carnival for decades."
He said it was like a circle, younger people falling in love with the mas, became creative, grew up to play mas, became costume designers, and cultural practitioners.
When asked what could be done to attract more people to support the children's Carnival, he replied that he had spoken to organisers and was also in discussion with the Ministry of Education about going directly to primary schools, so they can compete.
Mitchell said when he played Kiddies Carnival a long time ago, it was primary school-based with some independent mas bands and getting primary schools participation was important.
He said he understood some of the challenges organisers and schools faced such as recently emerging from the pandemic, however, they were able to organise this year's children's Carnival and next year will be even bigger and there will be versions in San Fernando, Central and throughout the country as well.
