Watap Promotions has taken the Band of the Year title in Chaguanas.The band, out of Annabell Street, Lisas Gardens, Couva, was announced winner of the 2014 competition yesterday for its presentation, Expressions. Defending champion Chase Village Carnival was third with its Intruders-Invaders.Watap Promotions bandleader Adrian Clarke was a happy man yesterday. He said the band was designed by veteran masman Stephen Derek of Midas and Associates.
"Hard work has paid off," Clarke told the T&T Guardian. "We went without any major sponsors, except Ramsingh's Music and Tony's Bar and Grill. We paid for everything out of our pockets."There are so many companies on the industrial estate and we wrote to them seeking sponsorship and they never responded. Nevertheless, God is good."The band had five sections: Love is From the Heart, Laughter is the Best Medicine, Diamonds are Forever, Birds of a Feather Flock Together and The Nile is the Life Blood of Egypt.
The queen of the band was Annette Bandfield, who portrayed A Thing of Beauty is a Joy Forever and the king was played by Marlon Spencer, playing You Play with Fire You Get Burned. The Junior King was the Clown in Glory played by Zion Garaway. The Junior Queen was Moesha Bandfield, who played Carnival is Colour.Watap went on stage around 7 pm and despite having to perform on a wet surface because of evening showers, still caught the eyes of the judges.
Orlando Nagessar, chairman of the Chaguanas Carnival Committee, said he was happy with Carnival 2014 and this year saw more crowd participation in a safe environment."We had no incidents, the police did an excellent job, I am extremely happy."Last year, celebrations did not go all so well when compared with what we witnessed over the weekend."