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Stealth Tech’s Return of the Red Indians and the House of Jaqui’s Come Fly with Me have captured the coveted Senior and Junior Band of the Year titles, respectively, in Chaguanas for Carnival 2026, following a keenly contested competition.
In the junior category, Come Fly with Me soared to victory with 253 points. Second place went to Crochet Explosions’ Crochet in Wonderland with 240 points, while Leslie Ann-Morgan and Associates’ Ancient Egypt secured third place with 237 points.
An elated Jaqui Koon How, leader of the House of Jaqui, told Guardian Media she was thrilled to once again lift the Chaguanas trophy. Koon How, who also claimed honours in Couva, said, “I have lost track of how many times we have won the title. We are working on sailor mas for 2027.”
The House of Jaqui also dominated the individual junior categories. Netyana Philip won the Junior Queen title with Rise Me Up, while Salick Harper, competing unattached, claimed the Junior King title with Soca Warrior Drummer. The Individual Male title went to King Noel, of the House of Jaqui, for his portrayal of Rising out of the Phoenix, while Antonia Graham, also of the House of Jaqui, secured the Individual Female title with the same portrayal.
In the senior band competition, Stealth Tech’s Return of the Red Indians amassed 172 points to edge out Just Illusions’ Rebirth, which finished a close second with 171 points.
The Small Band title went to John Roberts’ Central Elite for their presentation Elements, which earned 174 points. DJAB Company’s Trini Jab placed second with 149 points, followed by Community Unity’s Return of the Dragon Band with 148 points.
Jason Ramnath, of Return of the Red Indians, won the King of the Bands title with his portrayal of The Grand Canoe, while Jacqueline Taylor of Just Illusions claimed the Queen of the Bands crown with Solar Eclipse.
Shelvon Francis, of Return of the Red Indians, took the Senior Male Individual title for his portrayal of Shooting Star, while Sara Hood, competing unattached, won the Senior Female Individual title with her portrayal of Sailor.
Stealth Tech’s lead designer, Marissa Bridgelal, said the band was again happy to win Chaguanas Carnival for the second straight year.
She said, “It’s always exciting to win but to win back-to-back is an honour and privilege that only a few can speak of. Hard work, dedication and those late nights definitely paid off.
“We are filled with excitement, especially for our hard-working team. Our goal is to bring a safe and affordable mas back to the streets of Central and we are very proud of doing so. This prize-winning will surely be invested into our next Carnival. Thank you to the Chaguanas Carnival Committee. To quote Machel Montano: ‘Last year was good but we chasing greatness, that’s why they call us the greatest. We been here before (2025), the people want more. This is our encore.’”
