Trinidad & Tobago Guardian:
San Fernando, Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Spectators and masqueraders left the streets of San Fernando disappointed after police commanded an abrupt halt to all pan and night mas on Carnival Monday Night. Two Pan sides and five mas bands were denied the chance to proceed to the judging point at Sutton Street as officers instructed DJs and the band leaders to cease their music and return to the starting point. As Too Bad Promotions’ Mas band presentation of In Living Colours approached Sutton Street, masqueraders gasped in disbelief that their night was cut short.
A Southern Division Senior officer said there was some miscommunication between Carnival organisers and the police as there was no other shift to oversee the night’s proceedings as the mas had gone beyond the allotted 1 am cut-off time.
....Although the Pan competition was scheduled to commence at 6 pm, the first band, Pan Elders, reached the Coffee Street judging point at 9 pm.
....Even as nine steel bands and five mas bands took to the streets in full array of colours, many of those who were present in San Fernando, chose to lime at bars along Sutton Street and Cipero Street. However in the pan competition, it was reigning San Fernando Carnival pan champions Junior Sammy Skiffle Bunch who looked set to retain their title with a jamming performance.
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