First time is the charm - by admin July 27, 2014

They say that the third time is the charm but incredibly that wasn’t the case for the 5^th Element Kiddies Band.

In just their first appearance at yesterday’s Junior Kadooment they walked away with the bounty of titles, including the Best Junior Band at the annual Crop Over event.

5^th Element had all the right elements; enthusiast masqueraders, a talented team led by band leader and designer Kevin Small, along with a very strong topic deserving of greater attention. Their portrayal De Climate And We sought to sensitise the public on how indiscriminate practices can result in climate change, which can subsequently affect us even in the Caribbean through coral bleaching, increased temperatures, weird weather patterns and other areas.

Though the crowd at the National Stadium was sparse, the spectators present were overwhelming supportive of the young brigade.

Theirs was a picture of splendor crossing the stadium track with a bevy of beautiful colours and costumes easily identifying each topic of reference. The sections included: Dry Spell, Warm and Sunny, Cool and Windy, Precipitation, Hurricanes and Botanical Aid.

Their 11-14 couple, Environmental First Aiders Rosie and Daphne Watson-James, was one of the best on the day. Incidentally, they won both the Best 11-14 Couple as well the overall Best Couple. The duo appeared on the stage like superheros. Wearing full-length green body suits with frills, on their waists were net skirts decorated with an array of leaves and with backpacks that featured three oversized leaves and first aid kits ready to save this earth from crisis.

5^th Elements Kiddies Band was also accorded the Environmental and Community Costume awards in addition to HIV/AIDS Awareness Award, and the Couples 7-10 with Kaeiysha Stuart and Robiniano Phillips for Umbrellas & Parasols: The Water Cycle. Nathan Crawford-Willis placed second in the 11-14 Individuals with Hurricane ABC, while 5^th Element placed third in Topical.

Of the almost 20 bands that participated yesterday, the schools and community bands dominated the prizes.

The Historical section was won by the National Library Service with From De Mill Yard to Spring Garden. The second spot went to the Stephen’s Primary School for Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison with Celebration from Young Spirits Community Group taking third.

Perennial Kadooment powerhouse, Gwyneth Squires also took her share of the prizes with her 2014 offering We Playing A Different Kinda Game. With one of the largest bands competing this year Squires won Most Colourful and Topical, while her band placed second and third in several categories.

The Westbury Primary School was very successful this year with The Elements. They won the Best School Band and had to settle for third place win in the Environmental category, and Zakayla Vaughn came second in the Individuals 3-6 for Cornucopia Earth.

Fantasy was won by Kids on the Move for Someting Fishy. The St. Gabriel’s School’s Shooting Stars represented by Kaitlam Corbin won the Individuals 3-6 whereas Space Invader Maya Hewitt took top honours in the Individuals 11-14.

Individuals 7-10 winner was Emma Field – Kids on the Move Gorgonian Seafan. Couples 3-6- Alessandro O’Donnell-Walcott and Jamara Mayers Catch Of De Day – Reggie Cave Band.

Junior King Of The Bands went to eight- year-old Drewdan Quimby of Quimby’s Explosion 2014 Kadooment band for Coral Reef Treasures: Treasures Under Threat.

Junior Queen Of The Bands was The National Library Service’s Daveena Went-King in The Essence of Crop Over.

Best Flag Person was Akaila Smith of the Reggie Cave Kadooment Band.

The BMA Brands Of Barbados Award went to Young Spirits Community Group. The Historical award was won by National Library Service  for its portrayal of From De Mill Yard to Spring Garden, while the Historic Bridgetown and Its Garrison: World Heritage Award was won by St Stephen’s Primary School.