Survivors Troup wins big at 2015 Carnival Parade

GREAT BAY-The 46^th annual Carnival festival activities reached its peak on Thursday April 30^th and May 1^st with the annual Grand Parade which included a section of the Children’s parade this year. One of the major hurdles this year was the sun. Several children and adults fainted due to the heat of the blistering sun. First aid responders and the ambulance department had their hands full tending to the revelers. The police department made the call to rush the parade after receiving reports of the number of faints taking place and was increasing by the hour. Spectators did enjoy the many different designs and costumes made from scratch from international and on island talented designers.

The results are as follows, Winners Grand/Children Carnival Parade, Winner Troupe: Jasmine Philip’s Survivors, Runner Up: Perla Bruney’s Love 4 Fun, Winner Float: Randolph Scott, Winner Individual Piece: Pauline Gumbs (part of Gordon Yee’s troupe) Children Section, Winner Troupe:  Jasmine Philip’s Survivors, Runner Up: Rio presented by Moms, Winner Float: Rio presented by Moms, Winner Individual Piece: Survivors (I3

The Parade was headed by the Queens of Carnival and children’s troupes from French quarter and the Dutch side, showing off their artistic designs. The French side group decided to accept the invitation from the St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation to come to the northern side to celebrate carnival. The Rio group also a children’s troupe was an extraordinary well thought out float with the designs of the Disney movie Rio. The Survivors section also featured children in yellow and gold costumes having fun.

Particularly impressive was the amount of new comers to the parade scene, Santo Domingo rum brand Brugal had their beauties dancing to the songs of a live band while Scandal exposed more than feathers and colors during their section in the parade. The exotic design turned heads and received many compliments for the creativity of the costume designs. The seven sections from the 2014 winner of best group Gordon Yee was backed by 3 music trucks and showed a wide range of different colors and flavor for his presentation in the 2015 Grand Parade. Survivor’s adult group also showcased their creativity with dance moves grooving to the sounds of the No Limit band. Thousands came out and filled the sidewalks to watch the islands biggest parade.

The Labor day parade saw the same bands and troupes coming out and marched and danced on the streets in the name of Labor. ) In a statement to the media after the parade, the foundation said, “The SCDF 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. 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.”.

PHOTO’S by Today Newspaper