CARNIVAL LAST LAP
Posted: Tuesday, February 24, 2004
Newsday TT
While yesterday's Jouvert bands, many displaying originality and wit, and others daring, gave way later in the day to a tantalising taste of what lies pleasingly ahead for visitors and residents alike, today will see the many costumed bands of masqueraders, large, medium and small, in full bloom.
The crowds will flock to the major venues in Port-of-Spain, Scarborough, San Fernando, Chaguanas, Arima, Couva, Point Fortin, Tunapuna as well as fill the sidewalks, the roadsides, the parks and every conceivable vantage point to view the final Parade of Bands of what has been described as the Greatest Show on Earth. Kings and Queens, North American Indian chiefs, African noblemen and women, sailors, chorus girls, midnight robbers, bats, pierrot grenades and tens of thousands of individual characters will strut their stuff before the judges and/or dance to the music of the Season's popular Calypsos to audiences, voices now hoarse, at traditional points such as the Queen's Park Savannah, Adam Smith Square, Victoria Square, Skinner Park. Carnival royalty and noblemen and women will mix and dance with peasants, all in the grand world of the pre-Lenten make believe.
Thousands of overseas visitors, including many from North, Central and South America, the United Kingdom and the Caribbean, among them nationals resident abroad will either be in the bands themselves or at the several venues or chipping to the truck blared music of passing bands or speakers strategically placed at roadsides. The accent will be on participating, if only as they walk from downtown, to uptown and across town and through parks, their feet energised by the beat of the infectious Calypso music. Most would have flown in, yet others would be in transit on cruise liners, or yachties either here for the relatively long haul or specially visiting for the Carnival. They are our guests and we make special appeal to residents once again to treat them with the traditional Trinidad and Tobago friendliness and hospitality.
Yesterday's literal sneak preview of Carnival was the aperitif. Today's offering of bands with costumes, many of them carefully, intricately and elaborately designed will be the full five-course meal of imaginative splendour normally associated with Trinidad and Tobago's Mardi Gras. Nonetheless, with all the fun and merriment we appeal to visitors and residents alike to be careful; avoid displaying large sums of money; stick to well trafficked streets although tired bodies may dictate otherwise; avoid accepting drinks, meals, snacks and lifts from complete strangers, and if you are uncertain as to just where you are and need directions, ask the nearest Police officer. A Happy Carnival Tuesday to all of our readers.
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