News
Masquerading Festive Parade held on Grand Turk
#TurksandCaicos, January 5, 2017 – Grand Turk – The Masquerading Committee, the brainchild of Ms. Valerie Jennings and President, Mr. Valentino Selver 
After a sudden downpour of rain, the Masqueraders and the local ripsaw band “rushed” the streets, led by Mr. Cushy Alice/Ellis, who did an excellent job of leading the parade from the Lester Williams Park, South Back Salina to the Clock Tower, Downtown. In tote, were the local ripsaw band, followed by participants and next by the famous “We Funk” Junkanoo band led by the man himself, the TCI king of Junkanoo, Mr. Ketch Penn.
The sweet, sweet sounds of the music of both groups drew hundreds of spectators, including residents and tourists alike, who stopped to view the parade, take pictures, dance, shake and rock with the music.
Other highlights of the parade were the masqueraders on bicycles – David Smith riding his bicycle doing short twists and turns; while Mr. Edgar Jennings walked his colourful bicycle displaying TCI flags along each side; and Mr. Kingsley Francis masquerading on his horse.
Also among the many participants was Mrs. Doris (Dar) Williams, wife of the last oldest Masquerader and Grand Turk’s famous rip saw band, Mr. Edgar Williams (who himself unfortunately could not made it out to attend the event). There were also a few of the community’s elderly ladies in attendance, such as Mrs. Iris Penn, Mrs. Irene Astwood, Mrs. Winifred Jennings and Mrs. Helena Williams who enjoyed telling stories about the Masses of the olden days, as they swayed to the music and enjoyed the celebration.
The parade ending at the Clock Tower where there was a brief ceremony, called to order by the Vice President of the Masquerading Committee, Ms. Valerie Jennings, to thank all participants and to crown winners as follows:
Senior King of Masses – Mr. Stanley Symonnette
Senior Queen of Masses – Mrs. Veronica Williams
King of Masses – Mr. Carl Williams
Queen of Masses – Ms. Maria Rigby
Prince of Masses – Mr. Valentino Selver Jr.
Other winners included:
Best Masquerader Dancing with a House on the Head – Mr. Thomas (Mellie) Simms
Best Rip Saw Band (which was led by Mr. William (Brer Doggie) Robinson
Best Female Costume – Ms. Maria Rigby
Best Male Costume – Mr. Carl Williams of North Back Salina
Best Masquerader on Horse Back – Mr. Kingsley Francis
Best Poorest & Original Costume – Mr. Terrence (MacGyver) Taylor
The Butterflies – representing the island of Grand Turk
Masquerader Ms. Kathleen Simms – representing the island of Salt Cay
Masqueraders Ms. Flossie Williams and her daughter Angela – representing the settlement of Palm Grove
Masquerader Mr. Greg Astwood – representing the settlement of Over Back
Band Leader, Mr. Walter (Cushy) Ellis and Mr. Carl Williams – representing the settlement of North Back Salina
Masquerader Mr. Stanley (Coot) Carter and Company – representing the settlement of West Road.
Masquerader Mr. Thomas (Mellie) Simms – representing the settlement of South Back Salina.
Masqueraders for South Caicos and the Special Needs groups were unable to attend due to unforeseen circumstances.
Everyone seemed to have a good time and happy to welcome back the return to Masses. Many said that they were “very impressed”, “loved it” and that it was “off to a good start”. Mrs. Lynn Missick-James, was the first spectator to arrive at the parade and helped to provide some of the stuff for the participants with words of encouragement. Mr. Alton Higgs, another one of TCI’s cultural legends, shouted from a passing car “Keep the culture going!”. Another spectator, Mrs. Jane Williams from Salt Cay commended the parade in saying that it was a great way of bringing the community together.
We will continue to celebrate as our ancestors did with the tattered clothing and houses on their heads and rip saw music. We are calling on all schools, churches, civic groups, and island and settlement groups to start preparing. Get your participants to learn from the elders in the community how to make costumes and how to dance with a house on your head. Get ready for Masquerade Festival Parade 2019. We promise you it will be bigger and better.
May God continue to bless us all as we seek to promote, preserve and display our beautiful traditions.
Special thanks to:
All members of our committee and others who stepped in to help in some form and encouraged us.
Mrs. Eunettie Glinton and her family
Mrs. Rita Gardiner
Ms. Danzella Jennings
Ms. Delphine Simons
Mr. Thomas Simms
Mr. Codeno Missick
Ms. Willis Williams
Mr. Walter Ellis
Mr. & Mr. Edgar Jennings
Mrs. Tonya James
Mr. Edwin Dickenson
Mrs. Teresa Andrews
Mrs. Alice Williams
Mr. David Smith
Mr. Stanly Carter and company
Mr. Stanley Symonette
Mrs. Susan Astwood
Ms. Sharon Simons
Mr. Dan Williams
Mrs. Peach Caley
Mr. Alexander Swann
Mr. Ernest Clarke
Mrs. Veronica Williams
The Department of Tourism
The Department of Culture
Ministry of Tourism
Ministry of Health
Hon. Oswald Skippings
Mr. Arthur Lightbourne
Intercaribbean Airways
Radio Turks & Caicos
Press Release: Valerie Jennings