Over 30 bands register for October Carnival

TOBAGO October Carnival Association interim president Dexter Sandy says registration of bands and masqueraders for the upcoming event is continuing apace.

The island’s third annual carnival takes place from October 25-27.

With just over three weeks to go, Sandy 31 bands have already registered to participate in conventional mas, night mas and J’ouvert. He said 22 bands were registered last year.

“The enthusiasm is very high and bands are still continuing with registration of masqueraders. We are seeing an increase in registration compared to this same time last year.

“So this is a positive trend. We are seeing a lot of buzz generating,” he told Newsday on October 3.

Sandy, bandleader of Iconic Mas, said many of the bands are in production mode.

“A lot of the bands are already making their costumes based on orders. So they still have pieces available for sale.”

He added the parade routes for the various competitions in Scarborough, the main hub of activity, have already been finalised.

Sandy said the route will again be organised in a cluster format.

“The parade starts at different points where groups of bands will be starting at different locations. So at any one time, you will have mas along the route. Any spectator could be at any point and they will see mas.”

For example, he said the bands that are gathering at the Shaw Park Cultural Complex as a start point will parade along the Claude Noel Highway and into Wilson Road. Revellers will then parade along the main route on Milford Road.

The other start points are Barcode (Milford Road), Penny Savers Supermarket (on the highway), the I Love Tobago sign (Milford Road), Shaw Park Cultural Complex and Bishop’s High School.

In terms of new features, Sandy said there will be a “staging area” for mas bands at the Market Square on Wilson Road.

“There will not be a built stage but an area that will be brought to life with a lot of décor and branding. It is a general area that the bands will cross.”

Sandy said J’ouvert runs from 4 am-10 am on October 26, while Pan Trinbago’s Rhythm, Steel and Powder is expected to begin at 5 pm. Night mas begins at 9 am and ends around midnight on October 26.

Meanwhile, the parade of the bands starts from 10 am and goes until midnight on October 27.