The Kings and Queens of Carnival 2013
This coming Saturday, the spectacular Carnival Road March kicks off at the Yarborough Green at noon ending at Memorial Park after hours of constant gyration on the streets and choreographed dances by the junior revelers. But on Saturday night, the judging of the Senior Kings and Queens and Juniors of Carnival bands took place at the Rogers Stadium. The costumes have become more elaborate, dazzling and daring…and on display were color and originality as the bands made a bid to secure the King and Queen of Carnival titles. Duane Moody was on hand to capture the emotion of the winners.
Duane Moody, Reporting
It’s the second year that the group is competing in the Carnival activities for the September celebrations and this past Saturday, Belizean Jewel took out returning champions, Mother Nature Creations, when they snagged both first and second place for Senior King. Both King costumes—the Lion Fish and the Sword Fish—came alive on stage and wowed both the judges and the audience. Public Relations Officer, Janine Jones, says their plan is to sweep it all.
Janine Jones
Janine Jones, Public Relations, Belizean Jewel
“Well I called it my darling. I said we are coming for the win, win, win. We started out with Soca Madness, we placed first place with our two dancers. And of course I’m so happy we are first and second in King.”
Duane Moody
“What was the strategy going into tonight’s competition?”
Janine Jones
“Just present our best; put out our best. We ask that the dancers worked the costumes and of course the big part is knowing about your costume; what you are portraying. We put out our best and we got rewarded.”
George Parks
George Parks, 1st Place, Senior King
“This is not my first time winning king but I am just confident. I came with a confidence.”
Duane Moody
“How is it moving something this heavy and giving it life in this competition?”
George Parks
“Well it is just the energy I have.”
In the Senior Queen Category, however, it was Eternity Mas Band’s only submission that took the title; coming in second and third was both Queens from Mother Nature’s Band. An overjoyed Kailyn Williams had lost her voice, but we still managed to get a few words from her on the win.
Kailyn Williams, 1st Place, Senior Queen
“I just went out there, did my best. It is my first year and I just move my costume; that’s all. It is flexibility that you need.”
Kailyn Williams
Duane Moody
“And you guys built it with that intention?”
Kailyn Williams
“Yes. It’s about the costume. The costume needs to move and keep bouncing. Just bounce the costume and it will move.”
In the junior category, Sunshine Masqueraders dominated…both their queens placed first and second in the female category while their king placed second.
Committee Member, Sunshine Masqueraders
“We are participating for the past thirteen years and every year we get better and better. I guess this is the peak of it. We knew what we wanted to do from last year; at the ending of carnival, we started to plan for this year. We focused on the theme, but we picked things that we could have easily maneuver. So we used shapes and things to decide what is it that we were going to make. Instead of doing anything unique and elaborate, we just stick to shapes and flexibility.”
And first place for junior king went to Jump Street Posse.
Warren Smith
Warren Smith, 1st Place, Junior King
“I feel good because I win two years straight and I neva really think I mi wah win again because I think I neva do good. I think I coulda mi do better than that.”
Three judges determined the winner of the King & Queen. International judge, Sandra Morris Bell spoke of the prejudging that occurred moments before the presentations on stage. She says that when it comes to standard in the costuming and creativity, Belize is on the right path.
Sandra Morris Bell, Judge, King & Queen 2013
Sandra Morris Bell
“We looked to see if the masqueraders are complying with the mobility standards and the height standards that’s required. It has to be a certain feet tall and it has to be mobile and be able to sustain on a stage with wind. We look for originality and creativity. We also look for durability. What is this costume made out of? Will the wind blow it apart? When they begin to move, will it fall on the ground? And we also look for how does it look; how is it esthetically pleasing to the eye. I can only judge by the standards that are here in Belize and the history of the carnival here and I can say they are really coming up to speed. There are still some things that I feel could be done better and I think that with some conversation from people who wanna try this, I think they could do pretty well. They can give some of the islands some good competition.”
And while the results from the King and Queen Competition has left everyone wondering who will take this year’s title as Carnival Champs, it is certain that come this Saturday, September fourteenth, the carnival road march will without a doubt display revelers in an array of colorful, original and creative costumes that will wow onlookers as they make their way along Central American Boulevard. Duane Moody for News Five.
