Thousands of excited, colourfully-clothed children yesterday converged on the streets of San Fernando for the annual Kiddies Carnival celebrations, kicking off the reign of the Merry Monarch in the southern city.Colourful clowns with multi-coloured hair, pretty princesses, fancy sailors and Indians were the order of the day, as the children made their way to Skinner Park to cross the big stage in front the judges.
Bouncing to the rhythmic melody of Superblue's Fantastic Friday, the gleeful children, some in strollers and others safely in their parents' arms, celebrated their day in the sun.Yesterday's kiddies street parade kicked off shortly after 12.30 pm at the Oilfields Workers' Trade Union (OWTU) Paramount Building, Circular Road, San Fernando.
Hundreds of spectators cheered the tiny tots and older children as they proceeded along Coffee Street and Cipero Street, en route to Skinner Park.Yesterday also marked the return of the big stage at Skinner Park which, for the last few years, was noticeably absent from celebrations in the southern city. And the children thoroughly enjoyed revelling on the stage as their parents cheered them on.
However, the junior Kings and Queens faced a fierce battle against wind gusts on the stage. They had to hold on tightly to their headpieces as they tried to display their costumes when they paraded before the judges.
Among the first bands to cross the stage was Carivog International's Kids Club with their presentation, Anything goes. They were followed by Jacqui Koon How's 2013 presentation, H2O-The essence of Life. Other bands on parade yesterday included the San Fernando Boys' RC School, Trinidad Renaissance School, La Divina Pastora RC School and Eccles Village EC School.
Children and spectators were also treated to sweet pan music yesterday, as members of La Romain Super Vibes, on top of a flatbed wrecker, performed Iwer George's song, Bubble, along the parade route on Cipero Street.When they were finished bouncing on the stage, the children raced over three large bouncy castles set up in the park where they bounced some more.
