Some of the revellersgetting down to the soca music.

Andr Jebbinson, Staff Reporter

"Will all the masqueraders please line up behind the trucks."

With that request from the announcer, the beginning of the end of Bacchanal 2007 officially started at the Mona High School, in Mona, yesterday. Colours as vibrant as the day and revellers with high octane started the journey that would take them through Liguanea, New Kingston, Half-Way Tree and finally to Mas Camp.

It was a spectacle to behold and people who live along the route came out just to get a glimpse as the revellers passed by in there skimpy bacchanal gear. Purple was the dominant colour. Not only did the majestic colour stand out above the rest, most of the revellers turned up in the Copacabana attire.

Ahead of the pack were masqueraders dressed in Jonkunnu costumes. Some children were scared of them, others looked on without fright.

10 trucks

Purple was the dominant colour at Bacchanal 2007 road parade as most of the revellers came out in the colour. - photos by Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer

Following them were more than 10 trucks moving slowly as the revellers carried on like there was no tomorrow. There was a slight change in the route but perhaps not many realised or cared, since the fundamentals were in place. The road parade started out with a decent quorum but had a snowball effect as it gathered momentum, firstly in Liguanea and further along the path. The number possibly doubled by the time the parade reached New Kingston.

The weather was beautiful with no rain in sight, yet water was coming from all directions. Those who did not get wet simply did not exist, as everybody had small water bags spraying each other. Obvious strangers became dancing mates as their waist lines spun like a million gigs in one place. The music was ever blazing with the live band. One woman had one complain though.

"They should have more than one live band so we can choose which one to listen to. Is cheap dem cheap," she said. It would be hard to imagine if she liked the music because she was still in the groove.

Live band

Revellers take the opportunity to entertain some spectators who were just looking on.

The point is, however, one that should be taken, since quite a few of the bands were feeding from the live band with the same music. It was, however, a different tune on the FAME FM truck. It took on more of a dancehall theme mixed with soca. The younger, non-costume wearing supporters stuck with FAME all the way. It was crazy. On the ground, against the wall, on the truck, man behind woman, it was a test of fortitude that was unwavering.

Of note is the fact that Bacchanal was without any causality up until press time. The non-revellers complied by staying on the sidewalk. There was music and dancing which everyone came for, but there was something else that came automatically. It was the aura of love and unity that Allison Hinds sings about in her single, Togetherness.

Part of it says, "Di fussing and di fight and di war mus' done, Come mek wi live as one." If only for one day, this was accomplished yesterday.