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
