Veteran designer West dominates Grand Kadooment awards

For yet another year, veteran bandleader Betty West has captured the prestigious Best Festival Designer – The Robert Weekes Award with her portrayal of ICONS of Crop-Over in the 2026 Grand Kadooment. 

Betty West Productions also copped Best Presentation – Heritage, Best Band on the Road – The George Dear Award and Small Band of the Year – Heritage.

Large Band of the Year- Heritage was won by Ryan Forde’s Vida By Esquire with Guardians of Heritage.

Quincy Jones’ Ribbon of Remembrance within his band Zenobia placed first in the HIV/AIDS category. 

In the Best Individuals Heritage (Males) category – The Gwyneth Squires Award, the costume Party Another Day worn by band leader Kevin Small of FifthElement Mas took top prize.  King of the Road and Ribbon of Remembrance worn by Rachad Goring and Kaveh Holder of Zenobia placed second and third respectively.

Within the Best Individuals Heritage (Females) category – The Gwyneth Squires Award, The Bride’s Party of FifthElement Mas worn by Suzette Reid took first place, while West’s Trini Ah Come From worn by the designer herself came second, and Vida by Esquire’s Sea Symphony worn by Morgan Forde took third.

The Best Flag Person- The Winston Jordan Award went to Justin Poleon of FifthElement Mas, while second and third went to Kayla Richards of Zenobia and Shanice Husbands of Betty West Productions.

Their portrayal of We Party’N-led Kevin Small and Jaslissa Small’s of FifthElement Mas to place second in the Best Band on the Road category followed by third place winner Spirit of the Road led by Quincy Jones of Zenobia . 

(JB)