Ooutraje Festival Band has taken the title of King Of The Bands again, but lost the Queen's section to Refugees – after winning both titles last year.

In a parade of colour, Queen Of The Band Katrina Gremmel, as Madame Butterfly, commanded the stage in a beautiful costume of red, gold, white and silver, created out of aluminium and fibreglass rods, to represent the Spirit Of Barbados and the Queen Of The Streets.

The crowning moments took place during last Friday's Cable & Wireless/FirstCaribbean International Bank Pic-O-De-Crop Finals at Kensington Oval.

King Of The Band Trevor Chase carried "de Crown Jewel" as part of his costume presentation of Jewels Of Barbados.

Made from plastic mouldings, fancy braids, aluminium, fibre glass and fishing rods, splashed with black, red, and gold, it ruled over the competition.

The diamond-cut laser paper, made of black suedette and red sequin satin, was the crowning jewel securing the title.

Ooutraje was second in the Queen Of The Band with Sophia Chase at the helm portraying Jade Of Fame – a tribute to Bajan entertainers who were products of the Richard Stoute Teen Talent Contest and had made a significant contribution to the development of the country.

Made of green sparkling nylon and purple sequined satin, aluminium and fibre glass rods, the costume stood out in the dark, shimmering with energy as represented traditionally by the Jade stone.

Pat Carter, who carried Gwyneth Squires' Black Gold for This Is My Land band, was placed third.

It was Benny Rowe, also of Squires' band, who took second place among the kings with the Dawn Of A New Day costume which was mostly gold, representing the sun rising fresh, new and bright.

Reggie Cave copped third place for Betty West Productions presenting River Of Tears. The focal point of the presentation was a large sad face with tears flowing, growing bigger as the costume expanded in width.

It was decorated with sequins and beads with blue being the dominant colour, contrasted with silver highlighting the tears. It was made out of fibre glass, leatherette and plastic.

Also on parade were Blame It On Rio by Village Styles Impression, Nubia, The Spirit Of Nanny by Mas Explosion, Rebirth by Bush Hall Masqueraders, and Fertility, Tree Of Life by Betty West Productions in the Queens.

Unity, also by Bush Hall Masqueraders, was the other band in the kings section.