Francine Black, Staff Reporter
LAST WEEKEND'S Curaçao Carnival was celebration of
culture and friendship, complete with a high level of creativity. Extravagant costumes, elaborately dressed spectators and music came together to create a grand parade worthy of the title of 'the biggest show in the country'.
Over 5,000 costumed revellers and thousands of bystanders converged on the streets of Curaçao for the grand street parade on Sunday as politicians, the old and the young, dressed in costumes, rocked to the music.
From early Sunday morning onlookers lined the streets, waiting in booths set up the week before to see the costumed groups. The parade started out along the 12-mile stretch at about 9:00 a.m., live music from bands on trucks, marching bands and music boxes at the booths
having the crowd moving. Leading the parade were the Queen, Prince and Pancho (prince's assis0tant), who had been elected earlier in the Carnival celebrations. About 36 sections snaked along the street, onlookers and revellers greeting each other and sharing in the festivities.
Jamaicans had their chance to be involved in Curaçao's celebrations as Terri-Karrelle Griffiths, Miss Jamaica World 2005, rolled by on a float with Ryachacviana Coffie, Miss Curaçao Universe 2005, and Chelsea Cooley, Miss U.S.A. Universe 2005. The three were decked out in long red satin dresses,
complete with heels.
SINGING TO THE MUSIC
Despite being on the road for about three hours when The Sunday Gleaner saw her, Griffiths was still teeming with energy, rocking and singing to the music while onlookers screamed and waved back at her. "At the end (of parade) there were Jamaicans with flags and they ran up to me and started cheering. A girl come out and said 'yes mi girl' and I just got a burst of energy in that last stretch just from seeing them," she told The Sunday Gleaner.
She also described their carnival as fun but different from what she expected. "I didn't expect to be in a dress and high heels. We (Jamaicans) are much more expressive and vibrant," Griffiths said.
Other groups in the parade wore equally elaborate outfits, dressed in velvet, satin and sheer outfits with dress shoes of red, silver and gold to match. The names, which included Bumba Tumba, Rimo Sin Fin and Grupo Isla, matched the vibrancy of the participants. Drinks were served to revellers in trays to ensure that the party spirit continued throughout the day.
The police were out in their numbers to ensure that order was maintained, one officers stopping a truck driver and administering a breathalyser test. Onlookers cheered when he was found to be fine and allowed to return to the truck and continue the parade.
Even hours after the parade was over the party mood continued as locals went to clubs to continue celebrating Curaçao Carnival.
Travel facilitated by Air Jamaica.
