Overcast skies and a drizzle failed to dampen the spirits of masqueraders during the San Fernando Carnival Committee’s Parade of Bands yesterday.
The parade, however, got off to a late start with the first large band Jagessar Costumes crossing the High Street judging point at 4 pm. For the past 48 years the band has been producing fancy Indian mas and its presentation this year is ‘Untamed Territory’.
The band captured third place in the National Carnival Queen competition with its portrayal Shamaran-Guardian of the Horned Serpent.
“We had no obstacles we seeing a lil rain coming but that will not stop us. We playing mas still. We have a good chance of King and Queen South so the only next thing is the Band of the Year,” said bandleader Junior Jagessar.
The band is one of three large bands in San Fernando and they will be seeking to snatch the Band of the Year South title away from Fireworks Promotion.
Speaking with Guardian Media along the band route, Fireworks Promotion’s bandleader Nisa Nathu Hari said they were eyeing the title again this year with their presentation Fantasies and Fairytales.
“We obviously would love to retain the title at the end of the day. I think we have put out a lot of work, a lot of hard labour.”
However, she acknowledged that their competitors also bring out very good presentations so “may the best band win.”
And holder of 25 South Band of the Year titles, Kalicharan Carnival, is confident that they will reclaim the title this year. Last year the band decided not to cross the judging point. They disagreed with the Harris Promenade judging point due to its close proximity to the hospital. This year their portrayal is Street Jam.
“I believe in any project I am doing to do it with confidence, so I think that will be the ultimate goal for us to achieve the Band of Year (south) title 2020.”
A total of eleven Carnival bands registered for the parade of the bands in south. Guardian Media also caught up with Convenor of Carnival Naigum Joseph who gave south Carnival a thumbs up so far with J’Ouvert recording no incidents.
He said they were expecting 11 bands to be out on the streets for Monday night. The bands adhered to the San Fernando City Corporation’s directive to turn down their music as they passed near the hospital.