Slow start for revellers at Grand Kadooment

The 2024 Flow Grand Kadooment got off to a slow and frustrating start for revellers anxious to try out this year’s new route.

While the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) had delayed the jump time by two hours, bands set to face the judges had not made their way to the starting point by 11 a.m.

From as early as 7:30 scores of revellers were seen at the Helicopter pad assembly point. Some were eating breakfast while others were making final adjustments to their costumes. Several trailer trucks were also parked along Hinks Street with security crews setting up rope for safety barriers.

Scores of spectators were also seen gathering at various vantage points near Pelican Village with their loved ones, while vendors were feverishly setting up their stalls.

Just before the usual 9 a.m. start, the NCF, in a statement announced that after consultation with stakeholders including the Barbados Meteorological Services, and the Ministry of Culture, the Mega Monday jump would instead get underway at 11 a.m. much to the dismay of the masqueraders.

Varia Williams, who is well known for making her own costumes and partying with bands as they trek the road, said she was disappointed.

She asked: “Why has the NCF pushed it back? I am vex that they didn’t tell the people why? What happened?”

Around 10 a.m, the Walk Holy Band, Sankofa Out De Blue and Blue Box Cart, that are not judged made their way along the Princess Alice Highway.

However they were stalled on the highway between Pelican Village and the offices of BIDC/Export Barbados for well over 40 minutes before they moved onto Harbour Road.

At 11:15 a.m. the HIV/AIDS Commission Band was now making its way pass Pelican Village with Kontact Band, that according to the NCF running order was the last band, less than 10 minutes behind.

Kontact had less than 100 revellers behind the truck when it moved off, with band officials making multiple roll calls for  members to present themselves.

At 11:35 a.m., the first scheduled band, Zulu International made its way along the Princess Alice Highway with a smaller contingent compared to previous years.

By 11:46 a.m. band leader Ryan Forde led his masqueraders from Vida By Esquire along the new route and 35 minutes later Khepri Kulture made their presence felt on the road.

Six minutes later,  Krave The Band stepped onto the highway and made a spectacle for onlookers.

The band’s disc jockey ordered the ladies to walk over to the ocean-front greens of Trevor’s Way and gyrate. A number of women climbed a wall and pinned their waistlines. Many spectators stood and adjusted their vantage points to get a glimpse. Who was not cheering took out their phone to record.

Then came showers of rain but no rain could stop the jam. The masqueraders made their way along the new route having fun and merriment.

While some revellers reported that they were excited to try the new route and were looking forward to see what it had to offer,  Tony Wilson, a long time lover of the Crop Over Festival said he expected more pazazz for the 50th anniversary of the festival.

“I’ve been jumping before there was a Crop Over, when there were donkey carts in the late 60’s, early 70’s. I was disappointed that they didn’t go way back, some of the things like the burning of Mr Harding and one or two donkey carts,” he said. “I think they made too many changes and probably didn’t have the staff to coordinate them. This morning they changed the time to 11 o’clock, the bands were still late and some were stuck here [by Pelican Village] for a long time.”

The new route saw masqueraders leaving the assembly point at the Helicopter pad, then onto the Princess Alice Highway and  President Kennedy Drive via Prescod Boulevard. They made a left at the Eagle Hall Junction [at the traffic lights] to head onto Black Rock Main Road before making a left at the Frank Worrell Roundabout (at the bottom of Cave Hill) culminating on the Mighty Grynner Highway. Bands ended their celebration at  Kensington Oval. (SZB)