As expected, Spectrum Band’s "Kallaloo" took home this year’s Carnival Road March title, according to an announcement made Tuesday by the V.I. Carnival Committee.
The lively tune accompanied many of the troupes’ performances during this year’s parades, with many calling it the "anthem of the festival." Many of the other winners announced Tuesday also came as no surprise, as they swept through Post Office Square on St. Thomas over the weekend with some of the best routines seen at the event in recent years.
For the Children’s Parade, the St. Thomas Majorettes — which had twirlers performing inside and out a large trampoline — won in the "Majorettes" category, while the St. Croix Majorettes took home first place for their performance in the Adults’ Parade. The Sebastien Majorettes, which paid tribute Saturday to Michael Jackson with a routine based around a montage of the late King of Pop’s most famous hits, came in second.
For the Children’s Parade, the V.I. Montessori School and International Academy took home first place in the best "Troupe Under 50" category with a presentation entitled "Both Sides of Bacchanal," which organizers said was designed to give both an interpretive and literal showing of this year’s Carnival theme. The Caribbean Ritual Dancers came in second place in this category for the Children’s Parade, while the Caribbean Dazzlers Came in third.
First place in the best "Troupe Over 50" went to UVI’s 4-H program, whose students marched through the Children’s Parades dressed as red and gold steel pans. Fun Lovers won best Floupe, while the Crucian Crowns cleaned up in the best "Traditional" category.
For the Adults’ Parade, Chester "Mighty Groover" Brady was the winner in the "Individual" category with a one-man float that paid tribute to the territory’s "Fraco Man."
As usual, the Traditional Indians came out on top in the "Traditional" category, while the Caribbean Ritual Dancers won best "Troupe Under 50," followed by UVI in second and Jesters Carnival Troupe — with their Hawaiian-inspired bacchanal theme — in third.
Finally, the Gypsy’s Carnival Troupe won in the "Troupe Over 100" category with its "Carnival Back Then" theme.
Carnival Village winners are:
-Cristobal Caraballo (first place in the booth competition);
-Martha Luis (first runner up in the booth competition);
-Ferlicia Fergusson (second runner up in the booth competition); and
-Alicia McDonald and Friends for "Best Relation to the Village Theme."
For the Cultural and Food Fair, the winners are:
Arts and Crafts –
-Alton Evans (winner)
-Justin Todman (first runner-up)
-Kirsten Brunn (second runner-up)
Plants –
-Gladys A. Abraham Elementary School (winner)
-Ruth Anthony (first runner-up)
Produce –
-Crescent Charles (winner)
-Gladys A. Abraham Elementary School (first runner-up)
Special Foods –
-Theresa Davis (winner)
