Carnival brings culture, connection and celebration

Kemar 'Sauceboss' Highcon was not pretending to be a masquerader for the cameras.

With the sea of women on the road and him planted in the middle of the action, he wasted no time in telling why he was present.

"Mi nuh inna the costume thing, mi love fi see the woman dem, a dem mi come fi see," he told THE STAR.

But beyond the women, the entertainer admitted that Carnival in Jamaica has grown into something much bigger.

"I appreciate soca music and I love seeing people from the diaspora and across the Caribbean come together in one space to enjoy themselves," he said. "Carnival in Jamaica really shows unity in the entertainment space and it's something people look forward to."

That unity played out in real time on the road yesterday. Masqueraders from Yard Mas were out in their numbers, drinking, trekking and singing alongside their " Famalay", creating a moving festival of colour and rhythm. Well oiled bodies glistened under the sun, costumes sparkled and almost every reveller stopped to take a wine when the song of the season, Pardy, started playing. But it was not just the masqueraders bringing the energy. Scores of spectators lined the sidewalks, some from early in the morning, just to catch a glimpse of the action. Phones were out and those watching from the sidelines even joined in the dancing.

Many of the faces in the crowd told a deeper story. Many of them were Jamaicans living overseas who had flown home just for the experience, turning the road march into a full circle moment of culture, connection and celebration. Along the route, businesses were in full carnival mode. Viewing decks were packed with patrons leaning over railings, drinks in hand, cheering and recording the action below. Others moved in and out of establishments, grabbing food, cooling off and re-energising before heading straight back into the revelry.

Even Andrew Bellamy, managing director of Yard Mas, could not stay on the sidelines. Spotted enjoying himself on the road, he said the turnout matched expectations for a brand built on culture and connection.

"The turnout was great and we expected that. Yard Mas is for people who love Jamaica, and people will always come home to have a good time."

He added that the energy from revellers was exactly what the band aims to deliver.

"You can see people enjoying themselves and that is what we cater to. Yard Mas is about creating that experience for our band members," Bellamy said, noting that he was pleased with the overall success.

Carnival in Jamaica itself has been on a steady rise, bouncing back from the COVID-19 lull in 2022 to become one of the island's biggest cultural pull factors. What started with just a few bands on the road has grown into a major event featuring Yard Mas, Xodus and Gen XS, drawing thousands each year and pumping billions into the economy.