The National Botanical Gardens came alive on Saturday during the Sunshine Snacks and AffinityPlus Credit Union Junior Kadooment.
The event marked the culmination of weeks of costume preparation and rehearsals by respective designers and their young masqueraders.
More than two dozen private bands crossed the stage, but it was Xante, under the direction of veteran designer Nanette Worrell, that stole the spotlight. The band swept a number of top awards, including Best Junior Band, Most Colourful Band, Best Costume Structure, and first place in the Historical, Fantasy, and Folklore categories.
Xante also captured the Junior King title with a portrayal of Winston Jordan, while their couples’ entry, Mauby Woman & Nut Seller, topped the 3–7 age group. In the Junior Flag Person category, Trinity Alleyne placed second, with Hailey Bailey of Hijack taking first place.
The National Library Service, led by Richild Boyce and Jennifer Yarde, also made a strong showing. They won first place in the Topical category and also secured first place in the Individuals 3-7 segment with their costume, The Suns Time Keeper.
Young Spirts Community Band’s entry Two Reef Buddies – Starfish & Turtle won the UNICEF Award for Best Anti-Violence Message.
Fifth Element Mas, headed by Jalisa and Kevin Small, collected several accolades, including a win in the Couples 8–12 category with Sister Lorraine & Sister Sally, and second place in the Individual 8-12 category for Dominica.
The Lend a Hand Kadooment Band, led by Adebola Oni, was recognised for its presentation Ah Coming Fah Yuh, which earned the HIV/AIDS Award and a shared second place in the Folklore segment.
Other standout bands included Royalty Junior Kadooment Band, with their lively theme Blame it on the Music, and Hijack, led by Jason Thompson, which not only secured the top Junior Flag Person title but also placed across several individual and couples categories. Betty West Productions secured third place in the Fantasy segment as well as Junior Flag Person.
Junior Kadooment 2025 – Private Band Results
Best Junior Band
Xante (Nanette Worrell)
Most Colourful Band
Xante
Best Costume Structure
Xante
Historical
Xante
National Library Service
Royalty Junior Kadooment Band
Environmental
Betty West Productions
Colorz Entertainment
Catastrophic Productions
Topical
National Library Service
Fifth Element Mas
Royalty Junior Kadooment
Folklore
Xante
Fifth Element Mas / The Lend a Hand Kadooment Band (tie)
Fantasy
Xante
National Library Service
Betty West Productions
Junior Flag Person
Hailey Bailey – Hijack
Trinity Alleyne – Xante
Shanya Daniel – Betty West Productions
Individuals (3–7)
National Library Service – The Suns Time Keeper
The Lend a Hand Kadooment Band – Ah Coming Fuh Yuh
Northernmas – Whisper of the Ancients
Individuals (8–12)
Xante – Hold Him Joe
Fifth Element Mas – Dominica
Fifth Element Mas – The Midnight Robber
Individuals (13–18)
Royalty Junior Kadooment Band – Blame it on the Music
Blackbird Productions – King Sugar
Hijack – Healthy Foods
Couples (3–7)
Xante – Mauby Woman & Nut Seller
Hijack – Healthy Activism
Betty West – Rain & Sunshine
Couples (8–12)
Fifth Element Mas – Sister Lorraine & Sister Sally
National Library Service – Two Reef Buddies: Starfish & Turtle
Northernmas – The Eternal Pair
Couples (13–18)
Xante – Gerdine & Partner
Hijack – Healthy Conscience
Royalty Junior Kadooment Band – Colours
Special Awards
Junior King: Xante – Winston Jordan
Junior Queen: Northernmas – Queen of the Streams
Best Couple: Fifth Element Mas – Sister Lorraine & Sister Sally
UNICEF Award (Best Anti-Violence Message): HIV/AIDS Award: Young Spirits Community Band – Trevor Nicholls
BMA – Brands of Barbados Award: National Library Service – Richild Boyce/Jennifer Yarde
Robert Weekes Award – Best Festival Designer: Xante – Nanette Worrell
HIV/AID Awards: The Lend a Hand Kadooment Band – Ah Coming Fuh Yuh
Pictures by Sandy Pitt
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