Carnival Recap 2025: Machel Montano's 'Pardy' Dominates Road March as Masqueraders Shine at Queen's Park Savannah

Port-of-Spain – Yesterday morning’s oppressive heat couldn’t stop the Carnival joy, as thousands of masqueraders and mas lovers descended on the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain for the grand finale of the Greatest Show on Earth.

By the afternoon, newly crowned Chutney Soca Monarch Machel Montano seemed to be leading the way in the Road March 2025 race.

Montano’s “Pardy” dominated the music trucks and Savannah, while Bunji Garlin’s (Ian Alvarez) “Carry It” enjoyed some play in-between.

Masqueraders who spoke to the Express said Montano’s “Pardy” was the “best for jumping up” for the 2025 season.

Earlier yesterday the first large band across the Savannah stage had the spectators wowed.

Known for elaborate and colour-intense costumes, K2K’s Holy Trespasses featured portrayals of life’s sweet and sinful indulgences, with masqueraders draped in massive prints of candied fruit.

Next on stage were veterans Ronnie and Caro, with Shall We Dance—Where Every Step Tells a Story.

This year’s lulls between early-morning bands appeared to have lessened, with Spirit Mas crossing the stage next. The band presented sections such as Ibis, Argyle and Gasparee, showcasing Trinidad and Tobago’s flora and fauna.

Big band Yuma followed and took some time across the stage with Echoes of Iere—Welcome back to beauty.

The stage was hardly empty for very long yesterday, as spaces between bands were filled by smaller presentations from communities around Port of Spain and individuals. The crowd also went wild for The Lost Tribe’s Lost in Time, with many spectators hailing the band as one of the best to have emerged in recent years.

Also thrilling the crowd was Belmont Exotic, with Stylish Sailors.

While those who made it to the Savannah for the first half of yesterday’s parades were pleased with the spectacle, many masqueraders found the stands were “emptier” than in previous years.

Some senior spectators also called for a shuttle service in the downtown area for Carnival, as some had difficulty walking from downtown to the Savannah. Many people also expressed concerns for their safety as they walked, as they felt more police officers should have been deployed on the streets.

People were also impressed with this year’s Carnival Village, which was praised for presentation, variety, and its showcasing of Carnival traditions of the past. (Trinidad Express)