Tobago Correspondent
Mud and oil made way for beads and feathers, but the euphoria on the streets of Scarborough endured as Tobago Carnival 2026 ended in splendour yesterday.
Not even a heavy downpour could rain on the annual festival’s parade, as thousands of jubilant masqueraders in shiny costumes jumped and danced to soca.
The traditional mas bands were on the road by midday, making their way along the various judging points.
Jab jabs and blue devils lingered around from J’Ouvert, while young masqueraders also enjoyed their time to shine with costumes from Marcellin Nedd and Associates.
The sweet sounds of steelpan accompanied the fancy sailors who chipped along with their tobacco pipes threatening to fall out of their mouths.
Fog Angels, arguably the biggest band in Tobago, entered downtown Scarborough around 4 pm with Soca Titans winner Tam Tam aboard one of their trucks. His 2026 hit, Follow Me, continues to mash up on the road and with his victory assuring him a spot in the 2027 Soca Monarch semifinal, he will be a force to be reckoned with.
Trinidad resident and first-time masquerader Lenore Singh, who played in the band Abundance, said she had been won over by the Tobago Carnival experience and will be back. She said the band’s 2026 theme, First Spirit, in tribute to the indigenous people, caught her eye and made the choice of bands easy.
Abundance bandleader Carlana Ramlochansingh has been on the road in Tobago for the last three years and says the event has been growing in popularity. With 60,000 visitors this year, she said only the accommodation sector needed to step up to meet the growing demand.
Meanwhile, American teenager Olivia Soverall, who is here with her family, said the majestic costumes left her in awe.
“I like seeing the costumes and how shiny everybody is. My dad was born here and he likes taking us to Carnival,” Soverall said.
She said Tobago is the ideal vacation spot, with Carnival being a tremendous bonus.
Meanwhile, Englishman Luke Oscar, whose Trinidadian grandfather was part of the Windrush generation, said he feels at home in Tobago. Draped in a national flag, he and his friends danced in the streets while waiting for the bands along the Scarborough Esplanade.
While familiar with Nottingham Carnival in England, he said this was his first carnival in the West Indies.
“Nothing compares to this carnival, unbelievable vibes,” he said.
Another UK tourist, Ayla Benjamin, said she has been to Tobago before, but never for the Carnival. She said she could not miss it this year and expects to be frolicking in a band in 2027.
“The music, the vibes, the rum, it’s just a happy atmosphere,” she said.
A welcome addition to the carnival was the roving medical teams who were kept busy on Saturday, with the intense heat causing a few revellers to suffer from dehydration and heat stress. However, a downpour yesterday allowed spectators and masqueraders cooler conditions to enjoy the celebrations.
Police were again out in full force, with no major incidents reported.
