Grenada’s Spice Mas 2004 ends

As Carnival lovers reveled along the street of Foodland Lagoon Road, St. Georges, on Tuesday, August 10, with only two hours to go, they knew the curtains would soon come down on the spiciest event on earth, Grenada’s Spice Mas 2004.
This long anticipated event was about to fade into history in just a matter of time. {{more}}
The revelers partied like there was no tomorrow!
Those who had the opportunity to participate in this grand event will cherish its memories as they await next year’s Spice Mas. And for those hearing the many stories coming out of Grenada and did not get a chance to experience the Carnival, give yourself this opportunity of a lifetime next year by not missing Spice Mas 2k5.
Carnivals were staged in Trinidad and Tobago earlier this year and more recently in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia, Antigua & Barbuda and Barbados. Like all these carnivals across the Caribbean, which gave party lovers from various parts of the world the opportunity to have fun and excitement, Spice Mas offered a unique variety as it showcased the culture and traditions that identify Grenada as Grenada.
The season took a hype on Thursday, August 5, with the staging of the Carnival Queen pageant. Patrons attending the weekend activities were entertained by the moko jumbies, local acrobats and dancers, soca and kaiso artistes. Then there were the jab jabs. This event is marked by band members painting their bodies with bitumin, a tar-like mixture. The “short knees”, another cultural band presence, was heavily felt in Spice Mas when they came out in numbers decked in colourful clothing with small bells attached at the legs.
The “Vacuous”, another cultural group who attach pieces of wood to the sole of the shoe to make noise when they stamp the ground, also brought entertainment to the crowd. And there were the masqueraders and pan players.
The old adage that man has no control over the weather proved so true on Monday when heavy rains forced the organizers to cancel Pageant 2004 and postpone Monday night Mas.
The Government of Grenada and the Ministry of Culture used their discretion and made up for the loss of Carnival activity on Monday by providing two additional hours of Carnival activity on Tuesday. This allowed the numerous visitors to enjoy Spice Mas to the fullest. The hours of Carnival were extended from midnight Tuesday to 2 a.m. Wednesday.
Spice Mas 2004 will be remembered for spectacular performances by Carnival Queen Nicole Seales, Soca Monarch Hollis “Baby Killa” Mapp, seven-times Calypso Monarch Edson “Ajamu” Mitchell, Panorama champions Coco Cola Pan Wizards, King of the Bands Lazarus Antoine from Lazarus Antoine & Associates who portrayed the Sunken Treasure, Queen of the Bands Sherry-Ann Noel of Helen Marie & Associates who portrayed the Sea Beauty, Children Carnival, Frolic King of Carnival Kai Antoine and Queen of Carnival Nneha Lewis.
Spice Mas was all about fun and excitement and an opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of life. You’ve got to give yourself the opportunity to experience this great Carnival next year. Persons interested in getting more information on Spice Mas 2004 can do so at www.spicemasgrenada.com.