How was your Caribana?

 

The best thing for me this year was absolutely my costume, I felt freakin fantastic in it. My favourite!  Not many gems popped off, and none of the big dangling crystals came off ! The gems used were high quality, including in the necklace. The wire on the collar did bruise me, it was difficult to wear comfortably. It could have used padding. But now I know what playing frontline is like, and I wouldn't rule it out again, perhaps a backpack or wings though, or maybe a collar designed differently.

 

We arrived at the CNE at 11:00, so Trini-in-Toronto got his big Caribana wish, incl his coveted $3 parking near the Go Station. We were able to get pictures of Saldenah but very few of Nationz. As for the loop - I didn't really enjoy it. It would have served it's purpose if it was lined with more spectators. But there weren't that many spectators inside the loop, and so it felt rather pointless, and like it was taking up time. Photographers jumped in after the loop, and then once we got on the Lakeshore, some stormers. After judging, of course there were more stormers. But what we all should realize by now is the top big bands always have stormers. Likely even all the bands. Now I don't know about Mas Toronto (1) though. Anyone who played with them is certainly encouraged to comment on that. As well as what time they actually got going, because word is they didn't start until 12:00. How did the security rope work for Revellers after judging? What about the road experience for bands like Connections and TruDynasty who went down later?

Once again (3) bands didn't make it onto the parade, which is definitely an injustice. Penalties were said to be given this year for bands that held up the parade, which is the proper way to handle delays.
Tribal Knights water truck had plenty of bottles whenever I went, and the cool zone fans were a terrific, much used touch. The food distribution was an issue. One person was grilling chicken and masqueraders were in a very slow moving food line before the loop. When we had to assemble they closed down and stopped giving out food, and we tried twice more after judging to get food. The second try they ran out and said come back in an hour when the chicken was supposed to be done. The third time I was eventually given one box (of 4 drumsticks), but food for Trini-in-Toronto who was next to me also waiting, never came.
We had to leave the parade to find food @5:00, and I finally left and reached the car at 8:00 when it started to rain. There were sooo many black boxes of 1/2 eaten chow mein littered all over the route (was it CNz lunch?), so obviously at least another band had some sort of problem. Was it inedible, or just too big a serving of cold noodles?

Something I've noticed the past few years is many people also changed bands. What were your reasons for switching bands, the costumes, the parade? And how was the experience?

Another thing I took notice of this year was most masqueraders wore flats, sandals or sneakers. I saw some very well matched colourful flats on Skittlez girls. And while many sandals looked very cute, I couldn't do it, my feet need support when I'm on them for 9 hours! I barely saw boots, and they were on mostly frontliners.

Well, my Hamilton carnival tabanca hit for sure. And with no Barrie parade either, it's especially hard. Barrie's Caribfest parade will hopefully be back next year, and as for Hamilton's MardiGras????? 
Until next time, take the very best of care everyone!