TUITION FEES WOES, upcoming exams and anything related to studies were put on the back-burner for several hours on Saturday.
It was no longer on their turf, but students at the University of the West Indies (UWI) let it all hang out at the carnival, now under the Joukanal brand, held for them and their supporters.
Dressed in colourful and brief costumes, the close to 1 000 spirited revellers made their way from the base at the Party Stand on Harbour Road, turning on Spring Garden to the Frank Worrell Roundabout at the bottom of University Hill and back.
Revellers were so caught up in the bacchanal, and getting the best wines out of the new and old soca tracks, that the deejays had to remind them ever so often to “get behind de truck”. At one point the procession was called to halt by senior officers of the Royal Barbados Police Force until revellers were inside the security ropes and safely behind the truck.
Music from people like De Coopa, Alison Hinds, Edwin, Lil Rick, Porgie & Murda and other popular acts from Barbados and the region blasted from the lone music truck, which provided the beats for members of about 11 bands that were merged into one.
Selfies and group shots on cellphones were the norm, and the bolder revellers made sure their actions or skimpy dress caught the eyes of the many cameras clicking away as professional and amateur photographers jostled for position to capture the spectacle.
Chetwin Stewart of the band Powerx4, who stepped up to the plate at the 11th hour to stage the carnival, said they were blown away by the response to the J’ouvert Party on Friday night which set the stage for the street party on Saturday afternoon.
Even though several cautions were issued by police when revellers found themselves outside of the ropes, public relations officer Inspector David Welch reported that except for some minor issues, the first Joukanal Carnival was relatively incident free from a security perspective.
Stewart promised an expanded carnival next year, which will be marketed to students looking for a fun activity for Spring Break.
