The spirit of Carnival was on full display at the Queen’s Park Savannah on Saturday, as the Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross Society hosted its annual Children’s Carnival parade, where 3000 children crossed the stage.
The event, now in its 70th year, celebrates creativity, culture and the next generation of masqueraders.
Young masqueraders took to the Savannah showcasing an array of spectacular portrayals, blending traditional Mas with modern, imaginative designs.
This as the Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross Society hosted its 70th annual Children’s Carnival event on Saturday.
Speaking with TTT news, Chairman of the Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross Society Randal Halfhide reminisced on the growth of the event.
“We started in 1956 under a tree at the Savannah. Lady Beetham, if you’re accustomed to traveling the Beetham Highway, Lady Beetham decided to host a function or event that will raise funds for the Toronto Beagle Red Cross. In those days it was the British Red Cross. So 70 years later, we are here now, we’re not under a tree, we are using the big stage at the Savannah.”
Band leader of La Ta Caille Kidz, Terrence La Caille shared the inspiration behind the band’s theme this year.
“So the theme is a fashion odyssey. We’re going back in time, getting to know what they used to wear back in the days, and we’re mixing it with a bit of nature. So we have rococo, we have bustle, that is flora. We have fauna, which is the all boy’s section.”
TTT news also caught up with Ancil ‘Blaze’ Isaac Jr, who brought his daughter to partake in the festivities.
According to Blaze, the involvement of children in these events is important for the continuation and preservation of culture.
“And I mean, when we’re gone, they have to carry it on. So that is what kiddies is about. That’s why kiddies is so important in our culture. Kiddies anything, school panorama, school. So anything with children is important because that is how the continuation of the culture and how they get to learn their history and all of that. So it means a lot.”
One of the organizers of The Next Level Devils Junior Band Chantelle Marcano-Skeete said this year they gave back to the community by indulging the children free of charge.
“So we did this completely free of charge for all of these children here. Yeah, so we just want to promote culture, et cetera, to make sure the culture lives on. The Paramin tradition, the Blue Devil tradition lives on.”