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Winning adult troupe Jasmine Philips’ Survivors dance their way through Front Street. (Darlene Hodge photo)
PHILIPSBURG--Survivors by Jasmine Philips won in both sections of the Children and Grand Carnival Parade held Thursday and the Labour Day Parade on Friday. Brightly coloured troupes in elaborate and diverse costumes once again danced their way to Carnival Village in the season’s annual highlights.
“The SCDF [St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation – Ed.] is very happy with the turnout of the Grand Carnival Parade 2015. We congratulate all troupe leaders for months of hard work and determination to put a troupe on the road. It is not an easy task and we appreciate their work,†said SCDF President Michael Granger.
“We had some new troupe leaders who we HOPE will be back next year and continue to contribute to the growth of St. Maarten Carnival. Congrats to Jasmine Philips and her Survivors crew, who did an excellent job this year in both the Senior and Children sections of the parade.†Perla Bruney’s Love 4 Fun was runner-up for winning adult troupe, and Rio presented by Moms was named runner-up for winning children’s troupe.
Randolf Scott won winning float in the adult section, while Rio presented by Moms was the winning children’s float.
As for individual pieces, Pauline Gumbs – part of Gordon Yee’s troupe – won in the adult section, while Survivors reveller I-3 won in the children’s section.
Winning individual piece: Pauline Gumbs, part of Gordon Yee’s troupe. (John Halley photo)
Winning children’s troupe Jasmine Philips’ Survivors, covered in stars. (Darlene Hodge photo)
As usual, adults started from St. Johns, while child revellers joined later at a point on Walter Nisbeth Road. There were mixed emotions about Thursday’s sped-up procession, as some onlookers believed they were missing out. However, the decision was taken because the weather was unusually hot. Some revellers fainted as a result.
Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs was spotted amongst the crowd, while Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Affairs Rita Bourne-Gumbs was seen handing out earplugs to young troupe members and leading the Rio troupe by Moms. Member of Parliament Theo Heyliger also took part in the parade.
Children aboard winning children’s float Rio by Moms. (Darlene Hodge photo)
Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs with reveller Andrea Brooks. (SXM Island Time photo)
