Packed sidelines greet Grand Kadooment parade

The streets from Princess Alice Highway to the Mighty Grynner Highway came alive on Monday as hundreds of spectators turned out from early morning to secure the best vantage points for the 2026 Grand Kadooment parade, bringing chairs, food and drinks for what many expected to be a full day of entertainment. 

Locals and visitors alike turned out from early morning, staking out prime viewing spots with folding chairs, coolers packed with food and drinks, and enough supplies to enjoy a full day of entertainment.

Among them was Audrey Smith, who was seated with her family directly opposite the first judging station on the Princess Alice Highway to get a close-up view of the bands as they entered the route.

Smith said watching Grand Kadooment as a family has become an annual tradition, although they missed last year’s parade. She said she enjoys every aspect of the Crop Over season. “The bands, the colours, everything. We at the age now where we just enjoy everything from the sidelines.”

Smith also praised this year’s music after attending two fetes during the season.

“The music is fantastic,” she said.

The family came fully prepared with food, drinks, ice and chairs for the day’s festivities.

Returning Barbadian Lavette Jones said returning for Crop Over is an annual tradition, adding that this year’s festival was better than previous editions. “I was able to attend more this year than previous years.”

Like Smith, Jones also missed last year’s festivities but made it a priority to return this year. “I’m in the right spot.”

Further along the route at Eagle Hall, Roxanne Foster and relatives visiting from Virginia positioned themselves at a corner where they had an uninterrupted view of the passing bands.

Foster said the family took in several Crop Over events this year, including the calypso competitions and a number of fetes.

While they enjoyed the music throughout the season, they felt the revised parade route affected the movement of the bands.

“When they used the old route the bands flowed better now,” she said, noting that the gaps between the bands were noticeable.

Even so, the family praised the costumes, expressing admiration for the artistry and creativity on display.

On President Kennedy Drive, another spectator, Fiona, also commended the bands for their costumes.

“The costumes look nice and everything seems to be going ok.”

She, too, preferred the former parade route but acknowledged that change is part of the festival.

“I liked the old route from when I used to jump but other than that, it’s okay.”

Fiona said she also enjoyed several other Crop Over events.

“I went to Fusion, and I went to Platinum; it was good.”

She added that her favourite songs of the season were Ching Ching by Jagwa De Champ and Nelieux and Legends From the Grave by 2026 Calypso Monarch Adrian Clarke.

(LG)