Sandy Lane parade fails to disappoint

Patrons of the 2020 edition of the Sandy Lane Gold Cup were anything but disappointed with the offerings for the parade which traditionally precedes the day’s feature race. Glitz and glamour was the name of the game as several entertainment companies in Barbados pooled resources to pull off a production that was described by spectators as a spectacle.

Accompanied by tunes powered by the Cadet Band Toy Soldiers, the Zouave Band of the Barbados Defence Force and Royal Barbados Police Force Band, local dance companies including the Dance Place and Pinelands Creative Workshop among others depicted ‘The Wonders of Barbados’ as they made their way down the track. Andromeda Gardens, Animal Flower Cave, Oistins and Harrison Cave.

With Pinelands’ 50 young dance troupe portraying the beauty of Andromeda Gardens, the junior stilt-walkers from Barracks Hill Stilt-walkers playfully depicted butterflies flitting from flower to flower. The traditional shaggy bears wowed the audience with the acrobatic dexterity and skill while the cheerleaders from the St. Michael School Cougars also added a new element which was well-received.

With the entire parade led by the 12-foot stilt-walkers who bear the flags of the participating countries, the entire production was brought up by dancers from the Dance Place as they brought the magic of Crop Over a bit early with bright colourful flags and festive costumes showing the beauty of Harrison Cave in the North of the island. There was a section which was accompanied by the Royal Barbados Police Force band and the band from the Barbados Defence Force Zouave band joining together to form one band playing the hit song called Sometimes by Lead Pipe.

There were blues and purples to represent the flying fish, the red and orange were the flames of the coal pot where the fish is fried in Oistins. (MP)