J’Ouvert celebrations in Plymouth Tobago got off to an excellent start on Saturday morning.
The event was part of the annual Heritage Festival.
The first band to cross the judging point opposite the primary school at Shelbourne Street was Dotty Dotty, a presentation by Bago Limers.
The venue was filled with revellers and lovers of J’Ouvert but many spectators and participants lamented that it was not as packed as years gone by.
Rick Davis, bandleader of Till D Wheels Fall Off, a joint band from Point Fortin and Mason Hall, said he was not surprised that there were fewer patrons and spectators. Davis attributed this to a drop in the spending power of citizens at this time.
Some patrons said most of the people attending celebrations were from Tobago and did not have to cough up much cash to get to Plymouth, as a visitor might have to.
There were two judging points and the first band to cross the first location around 5.30 am was Dotty Dotty. Officials said there were eight bands registered in the competition.
While some bands had over 100 people, the majority of the bands were small and drew fewer revellers.
Spectators also got a taste of pan music from Dixieland and Katzenjammers Steel Orchestras.
The results of the Heritage J’Ouvert competition will be announced next week.
Before the J’Ouvert on Saturday, the Heritage Calypso Monarch 2023 and the Miss Heritage Personality 2023 took place on Friday evening.
Garve Sandy and Melinda Alfred, respectively, copped the crowns for both events.
Guardian Media’s very own Caston Cupid placed second in the calypso competition.