Boston Caribbean culture on display during Carnival
Boston Socaholics takes top masquerade band honors
Revelers of all ages celebrated Caribbean culture this past weekend in the best way they knew how: dancing in the streets and masquerading as whimsical characters. Locals and visitors to Boston set aside the previous weeks’ political frustrations and gathered together to blare soca music, show off their beaded, feathered and glittered costumes, and maybe even indulge in a few libations.
At a Glance
2017 Caribbean Carnival winners
King and Queen Competition
Queen Category:
1st place: T. Dacia Shillingford Compas of Socaholics; portrayal of “Aquila Eagle”
2nd place: Silleta Davis of Socaholics; portrayal of “Venemous Viper”
3rd place: Vanessa Black of Soca & Associates; portrayal of “Flight of Fantasy“
King Category:
1st place: Derick Sealy of Socaholics; portrayal of “King of the Reef”
2nd place: Sherland Alfred of Soca & Associates; portrayal of “Hephaestus Lord”
3rd place: Jamaal Hunte of The Virgin Islands Movement; portrayal “The Wolf-Law of the Jungle”
Band of the Year: Socaholics
2nd place: Soca & Associates
3rd place: Branches
As is tradition, masquerade bands compete against one another in a brilliant show, parading up Warren Street and Blue Hill Avenue as onlookers cheer and take photos in adoration.
The two dominant competing mas bands were Socaholics and Soca & Associates. The former band’s theme was “Toxic: beautiful but deadly,” represented through dangerous but captivating animals and creatures. The latter followed the theme of “Through the Looking Glass,” an ode to revealing your true colors despite what the mirror may show.
Just before the parade’s 1 p.m. start time, Silleta Davis was lined up behind Socaholics’ carnival truck, with a massive Queen’s costume in tow. “I won second place in the Queen competition,” she said proudly. She was crowned first place Queen of the Carnival last year.
Marquis Knight, another Socaholics masquerader, held up the Barbadian flag as he proceeded down M.L.K. Jr. Boulevard and stayed in character the whole time, holding a regal pose as he paused for pictures.
The late August sun beat down on the scene as family and friends of masqueraders regularly refilled their loved ones’ water bottles. Those more entrepreneurial-minded lined up along the sidewalks selling homemade food to the crowd.
Governor Charlie Baker, Mayor Martin J. Walsh, and City Councilor Tito Jackson helped kick off the parade by cutting the starting-line ribbon.
The parade officially ended three hours later, but the festivities continued on at private gatherings and after-parties. In light of the months of anticipation and preparations leading up to Carnival, it only makes sense that masqueraders would want enjoy the celebration for as long as they can — until next year.
