There was no shortage of feathers, sequins, colourful costumes, music, dancing and fun as the annual CayMAS street carnival hit the road on Saturday afternoon.
Despite some rain earlier in the day, by the time the parade started off from Paradise restaurant around 1pm, the sun was out in force.
Multiple mas bands with hundreds of revellers made their way through George Town and up West Bay Road, braving temperatures over 90°F.
Unlike last year’s event, when interaction between participants and supporters along the route was restricted, this time, costumed dancers regularly left their group to hug a friend cheering at the side of the street, or to pose for a selfie with a fan.
Although most of the bands were more freestyle when it came to dance moves, one group – Quinntessential Movement – stood out, with a choreographed routine that had all members moving in unison, much to the delight of onlookers.
Large trucks decorated with banners and pumping music through speakers were positioned at intervals throughout the procession, including at least one transporting the very practical cargo of portable toilets. Needless to say, it moved very slowly.
The parade, with its police escort closing off sections of the road as it passed, continued north until it reached Seven Mile Public Beach, where the AfterMas party was scheduled to start immediately afterwards, continuing late into the night.
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I notice that no one took any photos of the trash left behind on West Bay Road. I jogged from Canal Point Drive to the Westin and back along West Bay Road at 6:30 am on Sunday Morning. Bottles, cans, cups and food trash every where. Unbelievable! 2 Questions: Why weren’t trash bins provided along the parade route? Why weren’t those who attended more responsible residents of his beautiful Island. I’ll be back out later today with a trash bag to see if I cannot make a small dent in this mess.
Anne Evans
( subscriber’s wife)