The West Indian American Day Carnival Junior competition on Aug. 31, in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, reached a fever pitch, as thousands of children showed there moves in dazzling costumes during an hours-long parade, fueled by loud Soca music.
The parade assembled at Kingston Avenue approximately at its scheduled time and then traveled on St. John’s Place, for a riveting presentation as it moved on to Franklin Avenue. Machel Montano’s infectious music revved up masqueraders as young as 18-months old, who already has the Caribbean spirit in their bones.
As the parade entered President’s Street and the last stretch into the Brooklyn Museum grounds, the toddlers, tweens, and teens responded to their parents’ voices that egged them on to “wine down to the ground, jump in the air, wave your flags, lets mas, were the calls.”
The extraordinarily beautiful pageantry of colorful creations in three, four, and six sections, each, more lavish than the other, with jewels, sequins, and glitter, completed with plumes of feathers, all vied for the best in show.
The King and Queen, stilt dancers, reveled into the museum grounds, and on stage where they continued to masquerade just as good as adults who revel on Eastern Parkway.
The littlest who waddled on stage in tiny outfits stole the show, garnering loud applause, and laughter, much to the enjoyment of the packed museum grounds.
The pleasant sunny day was fitting for a day filled with amplified music, and merry kids who joined Sesame Flyers, Suga Candy Mas, and danced to music like, “jump and leh me see, love and unity, let’s go,” shouted the DJ. Another yelled “ten five cents dollar wine,” as costume band Carnival Renaissance – “The Awakening” went by with white skimpy creations. There was also “Tribes of the World” a Midas Queen costume magnificent in an enormous creation.
Kaleidoscope, Dance of the Butterflies, represented by a Butterfly Queen. Sections were “fluttery butterfly” – and Madagascan Sunset, in a mix of colorful pieces.
Soca Royals Mas presented Early J’ouvert with sections, “Paint the Town,” Soca Sailors, and Jamming Jabs, put on an electrifying display.
Some of the other bands were Visions in Motion – presented, “Somewhere in Africa the Messiah Elusion,” while UCC Mas Band showcased “A Day at the Circus.”
Shazell Productions, a popular children’s band once again dazzles with mesmerizing costumes. The band presented Kaleidoscope – “Festival of Colors,” while Mas Productions United, showcased, Chromatic Kingdom, among many other exciting 2024 Junior carnival presentations.
