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Under the cover of darkness, competitors in this year’s J’Ouvert King and Queen competition converged on South Quay, Port-of-Spain, hauling towering costumes and elaborate props for one of Carnival’s most biting showcases of social commentary. By the time the first bands began to move, masqueraders had already trained their satire on local politicians, rising taxes, traffic penalties, and even world leaders, using traditional mas to lampoon the headlines dominating national conversation.
While the spectators in downtown Port-of-Spain have been dwindling in recent years, there appeared to be a slight increase this time around, particularly in the Kitchener Stands, where clusters of onlookers gathered to take in the traditional mas presentations. Even so, overall crowd density along some sections of the route was thinner than in peak years, reflecting broader shifts in how audiences engage with Carnival events. Returning champion Richard Montano secured the J’Ouvert King title for a second consecutive year with his political portrayal, “U-EN-SEE Running D Corn-Tree.”
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