Congress Of the People political leader Winston Dookeran participated in J’Ouvert yesterday morning as a masquerader in the party’s band, Is Meh Pardner Ship. The band attracted a great deal of attention as it passed the main judging point at South Quay, Port-of-Spain, led by Dookeran who played King of the band, Captain of the Thinkin’ Ship. Port-of-Spain Mayor Louis Lee Sing was on hand to crown this year’s J’ouvert king and queen. Lennox Joseph was crowned King with his portrayal, T&T’s Strongest Man, while the queen title went to Helen Fullard for Why Camla Stop Drinking?
Fullard, who has won the title three times, had early morning spectators laughing as she revealed the answer on a placard—Because Jack Warn-her. Port-of-Spain and environs were filled with music and revelry from as early as half past three yesterday morning. Bands parading through St James left a trail of mud, oil, paint, cocoa and chocolate. Other bands headed into downtown Port-of-Spain area from Woodbrook, St Clair, Maraval and along Ariapita Avenue.
Several bands, including Yellow Devils and Tribe’s Red Ants, attempted to pass along the narrow Long Circular Road but had to come to a complete stop several times as traffic was at a standstill near the Church of the Assumption in Maraval, and various other points along the route. Band officials were forced to ask their paying masqueraders as well as the non-paying masqueraders (stormers) to clear the roads for vehicles to make their way through. This did not ease the congestion, however, as the two large J’Ouvert bands made their way along Long Circular Road from opposite directions. Officers at the St James Police Station said yesterday’s J’Ouvert celebrations in the district were incident free. However, at around 9.20 am a group of revellers, returning home from the early morning celebrations were seen throwing glass bottles at each other on Bournes Road.
