Carnival

Ninety million dollars was spent on carnival 2013 but Multiculturalism Minister Dr. Lincoln Douglas believes it was money well spent. At Thursday’s post cabinet news conference minister Douglas also endorsed 7 time band of the year winner Brian Macfarlane’s calls for increased prize money for large bands and more time on the big stage. Khamal Georges has more.

Ivan Kallicharan does it again! He has won the San Fernando Carnival Band of the year title for the 7th consecutive year. The results were delivered by San Fernando mayor Dr. Navi Muradali. Cameraman Ivan Toolsie and reporter Chester Sambrano bring us the details in this report.

And Masman Brian Macfarlane is not ruling out a return to mas but it won't happen unless there is meaningful change in the annual festival. Macfarlane broke the current record held by Wayne Berkley yesterday, with his 7th win in a row. It was good reason to celebrate. And its the season of lent. A time when for many of us fish and seafood becomes a staple. In case you are wondering about prices. Well reporter Samuel McKnight has been checking in with the fisherfolk.

Some major changes are being proposed for carnival 2014 and if the national carnival bands there will be a larger parade route and a separate route for party bands. As Chester Sambrano tells us the association says despite some hiccups carnival 2013 was a success.

He's not a sore loser…And has no interest in the on going debate as to how Brian Macfarlane copped the band of the year title while losing points on the savannah stage. Samuel McKnight spoke to Ronnie Macintosh today and files this report.

Masman Brian Macfarlane is celebrating his historic win tonight after his band was named band of the year. Macfarlane's win comes for his presentation ‘Joy The Finale’, which he says will be his last offering to Trinidad and Tobago Carnival. With this win Macfarlane has won the band of the year title 7 times in a row. Reporter Khamal Georges is at Macfarlane’s camp and tells us about the celebrations.

Of all activities surrounding carnival 2013 this year, the Merry Monarch got off to an early start with the parade of bands at the Queen's Park Savannah. It was hardly a lull there as thousands of masqueraders in dozens of small medium and large bands donned their full costumes and paraded across the big stage, for a show of colour and passion on carnival Tuesday. But it was also a day when all ears were peeled to see if Superblue could walk away with his first road march title in 13 years. Cameraman Neil Romaine and Sampson Nanton were on the big stage today. More in this report.

A sea of colour flooded the streets of San Fernando as pretty mas came out to play. Cameraman Ivan Toolsie was on hand to capture some of the images. For this Melissa Williams report.

Carnival 2013 is the last hooray for Masman Brian MacFarlane. Today was an angry and emotional last crossing of the big stage for the reigning Masman as he bowed out of carnival. Macfarlane has won the band of the year competition for the last six years. But he told reporters he is leaving a very disappointed man. Sampson Nanton has more.

The Piccadilly Greens was at its brightest with mas this year but despite this the organizers of the competition have many concerns. Camerawoman Krystle James and reporter Samuel McKnight were on the Greens and filed this report.