On August 30, the dazzling and vibrant colors of the Caribbean were seen in thousands of children’s costumes, as the young revelers kicked off the Junior Carnival with energy and excitement, setting the tone for what was a fantastic presentation under beautiful weather in Brooklyn.

The road march moved off promptly at 9:30am from St. John’s Place – Carlos Lezama Way – after the kids from as young as 18-monts old, were fueled with a scrumptious breakfast to keep them moving along the streets for untold hours.

Band leader Tiffany told Caribbean Life that she has been leading her costume band for the past seven years, vying in the small band category.

This year the Brooklyn Royal Diamonds dance school, depicted Royalty. The revelers showed off their pink bejeweled costumes in a swimsuit design with tights, trimmed with silver streamers and pink accessories.

Tiffany of St. Vincent and Jamaica heritage, said she has been a dancer for a long time, and she shares that same energy with her masqueraders, who kicked up their legs and danced in majorette formation, as they moved along the street. “We are Royalty they shouted as they led the parade, that made a left turn on to Kingston Avenue, behind the West Indian American Association banner.

Fifty little ones followed, masing in the Karibbean Island Pulse Kids band as soca music blared from a DJ float. Costume designer Natasha Hinds, said, “I feel a rush of excitement. All the sleepless nights paid off. The joy on the kids’ faces, and the excitement just come out when they put on their costumes.”

“We are aiming to bring home another crown said the Brooklynite, and band leader who traces her roots to Trinidad & Tobago, and who vied, in the small band category. The band depicted “The Five Senses of Carnival.”

Despite a considerably scaled-back number of mas bands, the vibe, the exuberance, and the love of culture dominated the parade. The infectious, soca music from Kes the band’s, Coco Tea, to Machel Montano’s Its Carnival, and Pardy, the soca songs kept the juniors masing like professionals. Wining down to the ground, moving their bodies, and waving their flags.

Charlize Horizon depicted Rebirth. Charlize, a breast cancer survivor who has played mas for sixteen years, a two-time winner, said she wanted to celebrate her journey after being diagnosed, and having to nurse herself back to good health.

“I’m telling my story through this band, It’s not only about the medical treatment, but also the natural healing process too. You must follow the rules and regulation, but you need a natural herb to bring your body together to help, after chemo and radiation said Charlize, who use designing as a healing process. Her daughter, Ehara, joined the band as the Queen. The elaborate, colorful costume band certainly helped to “Funfilled” the Trinidad-native’s vision to return to the competition after two years.

Nine-time winner Sherzel Production, a large band with 276 children lit up the carnival parade. The mesmerizing colors, feathers, sequins, and towering head pieces captured the essence of carnival.

The Trinidad-native says she will once again bring home another prize for her Bejeweled-themed band.

“I have been playing mas for twelve years. I have won nine times, and I will take home the trophy again said the exuberant band leader, adding that it’s all about jewels and diamonds.

“I love bling, and I expect the kids to perform to the max it’s all about vibes and energy, she said as the children followed the instructions of their parents, to wine, and jam to the riveting carnival music.

The costumes got more, posh, as the parade made headway. They dance to the infectious rhythms, as the DJ egg on the little revelers, to dance, jump, and yelled, “wave your hands in the air from side to side. “St. Lucia, Jamaica, Trinidad, Guyana, St. Vincent, Barbados, Grenada, put your flags in the air, he said, to hype up the kids.

“We get one day to celebrate Caribbean culture, today is the day, hands in the air, from side to side.”

“There is no place like home, home, home, the song says, as the kids responded to the command, to “wave your country flag in the air, and jump.  Our colors, our culture,” he yelled.

From Strongjeh International, depicting, Royal Kingdom in vivid neon colors of pink, orange, and green, in several sections, to1199 SEIU, the bands captured the attention of on lookers as they made their way on Franklin Avenue, then President Street, before proceeding into the Brooklyn Museum grounds where they were judged in a revelry competition on stage.

As of press time, the winners were not announced.