Play on!By Denise Balgobin Sunday, February 3 2008
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Three women from San Fernando's Fireworks Promotion presentation last year....
Over the next few days in Trinidad and Tobago, the streets in the main cities and boroughs are set to come alive as Carnival 2008 is here.
This year, Carnival activities in and around the Grand Stand, Queen’s Park Savannah have made way for the construction of a modern Carnival and Entertainment Centre. This has resulted in a shift in the central venue, most prominently the judging of the Band of the Year competition which will be done exclusively on the streets of Port-of-Spain.
Thousands of masqueraders local and foreign will be adorned in all the brightest colours under the rainbow in elaborately designed and decorated costumes (some mere strips of cloth, others not) of beads, feathers and other materials, as wild abandonment takes over.
By today, the majority of costumes for Port-of-Spain and San Fernando bands would have been collected, with the remaining few (if any) being sold on the spot.
Visitors who booked costumes online were collecting in a steady flow up to yesterday and most of the well-known bandleaders have reported that things are going smoothly as the countdown comes to a close.
Security arrangements especially have been of more concern than previous years due to the high crime rate, but many bandleaders say they have invested ample sums in this area to ensure their players can “jump up” with little or no fear for their safety.
Trini Revellers and Pulse 8, two bands coming out of Gallus Street, Woodbrook, reported that things are in place for Carnival Monday and Tuesday. Danah Cheekes of Pulse 8 told Sunday Newsday that “costume sales went quite fast and we are satisfied that we have put stringent security measures in place. On Tuesday morning, we will be heading to the Savannah first, then downtown, then back to Woodbrook, which is pretty much the same thing we did last year.”
Over at Brian MacFarlane’s Mas camp on Rosalino Street, the atmosphere was one of sheer excitement for last year’s Band of the Year winner, who many believe will be hard to beat this year. But the bandleader told Sunday Newsday: “It is never about competition for me. My greatest joy is creating designs for the world to enjoy.
“As for the two Carnival days, we have a committee to oversee the necessary arrangements and we are satisfied that everything is in place. Like last year, we will be at Adam Smith Square, Woodbrook first before we head into the city.”
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Gilbert Reyes, confirmed that the city will be crime free for the two days, with over 2,000 police officers and 500 soldiers on foot and vehicle patrol.
“We are going to ensure that masqueraders, tourists, spectators and everyone are safe for Carnival. All those who plan to carry knives, guns or any type of weapons, we want to warn them that we have a zero tolerance policy and we will find and prosecute them according to the law,” he stated in a press conference on Friday at Police Administration Building, Port-of-Spain.
Reyes also warned the public to practice safety and be aware of unusual persons around you. “You should try to avoid the high-crime areas such as Laventille.”
As for parking arrangements, he advised that this will be available at the National Stadium, MovieTowne, the Queen’s Park Savannah and Picadilly Street. “The wrecker will be out on both days, so please use good judgement.” Meanwhile in other areas around the country, final touches were also being put in place.
In Carapichaima, traditionally known for its Monday celebrations, about 17 bands had registered so far according to committee member Andrew Hosein.
He told Sunday Newsday: “We took over the celebrations this year from Jill and Sue Singh, whose father started the Carapichaima competition over 50 years ago. This year we have made the effort to deliver real community Mas to the people in the area and as usual we have Jouvert from 5 am at the Carnival site next to the old Post Office.
“Later on Monday, we will have the Kiddies competition from 1 to 3 pm, followed by the parade of bands. Though this celebration was doubtful for a short while this year, we have been receiving tremendous support from some of the longtime bandleaders and we expect things to go smoothly.”
In Tunapuna, Jouvert is scheduled to begin at 6 am, according to organiser Councillor Monica Ferguson. She explained to Sunday Newsday that this late start was due to issues of getting the players to the judging area on time.
“Monday on the Tunapuna Main Road will see bands parading to the judging area in front of Republic Bank from 4 to 9 pm, while there will be a steelpan competition from 6 to 10 pm in the same area. As usual we have Midnight Mas from 9 to 12 pm. Then on Tuesday, the parade of bands begins from 3 pm,” Ferguson said, adding that about 12 bands had registered so far for the competition.
She assured that there would be a strong police and army presence on the streets of Tunapuna. “In the past, we’ve had some small fights breaking out among spectators and we would like to keep this at a minimum.” As in the capital, the issue of safety was of tremendous importance to the community celebrations. According to a committee member for Chaguanas Carnival, the police and army will be supported by members of the Chaguanas Borough Police for the two days.
“From Jouvert at 5 am on Ramsaran Street on Monday, to the parade of bands starting at 10 am Tuesday, we have placed extra focus on this. We have about eight bands so far registered and we expect the usual participants from as far as Siparia and Gasparillo as well.”
The committee member added that the prize-giving for Chaguanas competitions will take place on Saturday February 9, one day before the Carapichaima prize-giving.
Other areas with Carnival competitions on Tuesday include Couva, Princes Town, Rio Claro, Arima, Talparo and Point Fortin.
