Colour and fun

Every colour of the rainbow graced the National Stadium as 12 bands crossed the stage to be judged yesterday at Junior Kadooment.Thousands of children braved the heat, which eased around 4 p.m., leaving the tiny revellers to enjoy themselves in their beautiful costumes.The stands were filled with young and old alike and just as colourful. Some patrons came just to watch; others to lend support, as was evident by screams of encouragement for children and family members jumping in the bands.Various hues of burnt orange mixed with red and yellow, mixed shades of blue, greens and golds captivated the eyes that gazed on the designers’ creations that crossed the stage.St Grabriel’s School’s African Journey designed by Renee Ratcliffe was first on stage, taking Barbadians on a magical journey across the Atlantic Ocean. Frolicking Flamingoes in their fuchsia pink brightened the stage, while the Royalty Of The Nile presented dazzling purple and gold costumes, and the Serengeti Zebras glowed in their black-and-white costumes.Yasmin Ylakhis’ Deep In The Jungle, showcased Explorers, Macaws In Flight in their striking vibrant shades, Wildflowers of lush greens, and sleek pink and black jaguars.Community Group Ribbons Of Hope portrayed ribbons representing illnesses and issues affecting children and the society, in the hope that eventually there may be a cure for many of today’s diseases.Wilkie Cumberbatch School offered Bugging Out, made up of primarily winged comic characters, and portrayed the ills within Barbadian society.Reggie Cave’s Bays of Barbados too offered a hive of colours as they presented Sunrise At Foul Bay in an orange, yellows and brown creation, River Bay in various shades of blue, Archers Bay in orange, red and yellow and Mullins Bay depicted by green and yellow.Then there were the big bands of Gwynneth Squires and Betty West. Gwynneth’s band Kids Like It So, reflected fluffy, sticky, sugary and sweet Cotton Candy in vibrant pink, Finger Licking Good in the KFC’s colours of red and white, Hot And Tasty in bright orange, and Strictly Gaming, among others.West’s Bajan Adventure which crossed the stage last for judging with The Ocean which presented beautiful blue sea fans, The Gully, green trees and monkeys, and the beautiful Flower Forest and Orchid World, which combined a variety of colours, with purple orchids, yellow sunflowers, hibiscus and more.A few parents welcomed the rain, concerned about the impact of the afternoon heat on their children.Peggy Collymore  was happy about the return of Junior Kadooment to the National Stadium, but not about the time of this year’s parade. “They should go back to the 8:30 a.m. jump-up for the children and the afternoon Junior Monarch at the stadium,” she remarked.Teacher Heather Lovell-Callender was excited about the 90-strong band turned out by the Wilkie Cumberbatch school. She told SUNDAY SUN “I think it is very important to have the children participate in Crop-Over. I think we need to identify with things in our culture”. But at both venues, from where the children began their trek to the National Stadium, the scene was the same.• Up to press time the National Cultural Foundation had not provided results for the Junior Kadooment.