Convenor of San Fernando Carnival 2015, Junia Regrello yesterday slammed business people for renting out their premises to vendors for use as streetside bars. Regrello was commenting as hundreds of masqueraders paraded the streets of San Fernando. He expressed concerns that on some parts of Coffee and High Street, the pavements were blocked.
“If we have vendors blocking the pavement, where will the spectators go? They will be forced to go on the streets and when the bands are passing, it is chaos. It is something that we have to look into,” Regrello said. He also expressed disgust that some masqueraders brought their babies to parade in the scorching heat. Sarah Hood, who was seen pushing a one-year-old teary-eyed baby in a pram, evoked emotion from Regrello who exclaimed, “Like this whole country gone mad.”
Hood later said the baby was not hers. The child’s mother Vanessa said the little girl did not like staying with a baby-sitter so she brought her out on the streets for the day. “She cannot do without me and I cannot stay away from Carnival,” Vanessa explained.
Regrello also said that he was pleased with the originality and creativity of the San Fernando mas producers.
“We stand above the rest. It’s not just bikini and beads but what is portrayed on stage stays with the concept of the band. In Port-of-Spain, you see the title of the portrayal and then you lose the connection because all you see is the people. This doesn’t happen in San Fernando. Our standard is very high.” However, he said some of the masqueraders behaved shamelessly.
“People must stop compromising their values. The nation and the world is looking at you. Yes, we are fun-loving country, but decency must be maintained. You seeing mothers and mature women on TV getting down in the most ridiculous fashion in the skimpiest of costumes. Children are looking at you. There must be a middle line. Yes, enjoy yourself, but be responsible,” Regrello said.