Francine Black, Staff Reporter

Before the weather could rain on their parade, these revellers go wild as they wined to the beat of Bacchanal Jamaica during its road parade which climaxed carnival festivities yesterday. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Jamaica Carnival was indeed a wet fête for revellers and spectators, who danced through heavy rains, yet not losing their energy and vibes.

The parade, which began at East Kings House Road, St Andrew, started with strong afternoon showers, but that did not keep the revellers or spectators from coming out to play 'mas' yesterday.

Led by Tivoli Marching Band, the parade was truly a mixture of true Jamaican culture. Revellers from the Supreme Ventures, Digicel, THE STAR, CVM TV, RJR Radio, Tastee, Air Jamaica and Jamaica Carnival danced away as if they had no care in the world .

Even the break when they had to turn off the music as they passed the Andrew's Memorial Hospital on Hope Road, St Andrew, did not break the spirit of the revellers. Many of them sang Allison Hinds, Roll It Gal as the soaking wet masqueraders wined behind the Big Trucks.

Easy targets

Security guards, police officers and media broadcaster were easy targets for revellers who ran to Back It Up on them. Some were receptive, others however chased away the 'unruly' set.

After a half hour break on Constant Spring Road, the rains had stopped and with the burst of sunshine peeping through the clouds, revellers broke loose again. One woman did not think the road was enough for her, as she wined on the bonnet of a police Suzuki Vitara and then climbed in through the window to wine some more with the driver and his passenger.

In Half-Way Tree the Byron Lee truck, complete with live music, pulled a large gathering as Jumo and the Dragonaires sang soca and dancehall tunes.

As the parade meandered down Half-Way Tree Road, security personnel had a hard time containing revellers and spectators who ran all over the place gallivanting and dancing.

Three guys dressed as old men who joined in the parade proved that their old age was only in looks as they wined with the female revellers who gladly obliged.

The sea of red, yellow, green and blue, which make its way through the streets of Kingston to the National Stadium car park for the Last Hurrah gyrated and moved to the sounds of dancehall and soca. Song like Busy Signal's, Pan Di Edge, Vybz Katel's Wine Pan You and various Mavado and Munga Honourable selections, were big hits with the crowd.

Mixed music

However, these tunes were mixed in among many soca selections to allow the crowd time to catch their breath and dance to some local music.

Spectators were just as interesting as the masqueraders. One woman on Oxford Road used the creative tactic of tying a leash around the waist of her child while he showed his skills to the public. Some who were either coming from church or a funeral, were not sad at all as they kicked off their heels and wined with passing revellers.

As the parade moved down Arthur Wint Drive, the revellers again digged deep and found a burst of energy as they showed the many waiting fans that they were happy to play 'mas'.

As the trucks ground to a halt in the stadium car park, the revellers and spectators were still moving showing that they were ready for the last lap.