San Fernando’s Midnight Mas was cut short on Monday night while costumed revellers portraying traditional characters were still making their way towards the judging point in Harris Promenade, hours before the annual event was scheduled to end.

San Fernando Mayor Robert Parris told the Express yesterday that despite public backlash he had no involvement in a police decision to halt the festivities, and demanded an explanation to the public from authorities on why the event, planned months in advance, had been abruptly halted.

At least 13 bands had been scheduled to cross the “stage” near the bandstand in Harris Promenade. By the time the decision was made at 10.30.p.m., Parris said only three of the 13 bands had made it across the stage, hurried by organisers as police insisted the event be wrapped up. Several, he said, were still making their way from Coffee Street ­towards the venue.