Something was happening over the weekend in Broad Street, The City, and loads of observers were on hand to take in the action.
It was the victory motorcade of the Pic-O-De-Crop Monarch Dequon “Quon” Alleyne and Tune of the Crop winner Bruce “Brucelee Almightee” Robinson, both of whom hail from the C.O. Williams House of Soca calypso tent.
About ten vehicles, decorated with balloons and blaring some of the most popular music of the just concluded Crop Over shuttled family, friends and tent mates from the National Cultural Foundation’s headquarters at West Terrace, St. James, through Eagle Hall,St. Michael and took a quick stop in The City.
Here, those who braved the mid-day heat were thoroughly satisfied as Quon entertained with his winning calypso Animal Kingdom and Brucelee treated onlookers to his popular Mauby. Dancin’ Africa added to the entertainment, and so too did an old-time mauby lady who gave away free bottles of Rose & Laflamme mauby, mauby rum from Mount Gay and much more snacks and treats from other sponsors.
Quon and Brucelee also took time to sign autographs and take photographs with their adoring fans. Tent manager Sharon Carew-White explained that it was a day to express gratitude to patrons, sponsors and the whole of Barbados that supported the tent during the season.
“We even saw the president [Dame Sandra Mason] she came out on her patio when the motorcade passed through Government Hill. She was waving and enjoying the sounds of House of Soca. So, it was a great feeling and a nice time. It was nice to see the entire young team of the House of Soca come out, and support: Mole, Coopa Dan, SugahRhe, Sir Ruel, Jamoo, Ranaan, and Jimmy Dan all came out and were able to offer contributions of their songs to give it that energy,” Carew-White said.
The motorcade also made stops in Brucelee’s hometown of Carrington Village, St. Michael and Quon’s a short distance away in the Ivy, where a brief drizzle cooled things down a bit but was not enough to stop the show before it culminated at Sky Mall. (KC)