"THANK GOD!"

This was the fervent response of a weary yet grateful Betty West on hearing the news that she had once more captured the coveted title of Large Band of the Year for Kadooment.

The long-time band leader dealt with many financial challenges in getting her band road-ready this year. With the hard times hitting many would-be revellers, West was among the band leaders who had difficulties in making up numbers.

"There have been financial challenges and I must thank Banks Breweries and Pine Hill Dairy for their donations and for being by my side because they didn't really gain anything for their good will. People were in a financial state with things . . . and there were very late payments. A lot of my band members did not stop and I was forced to reduce the prices of the costumes and had to give away some of them," she added.

The other big winner was Gwyneth Squires who won Festival Designer of the Year.

Ooutrage continued the successes it has achieved in the few years it has been in existence, winning the Small Band of the Year and Most Colourful Small Band titles to add to its King of the Band title.

RESULTS SUMMARY

Large Band of the Year:

1st: Ah Feeling So – band leader –Betty West

2nd: Power X 4 Y Barbados – band leader Chetwyn Stewart

3rd: not awarded.

Small Band of the Year

1st: Ooutrage - Jewels of Barbados - Trevor Chase

2nd: Wednesday 2000 - Beauty by Nature - O. Macky Holder

3rd: Bajana - Gimme A Dollar Wine - Trydeijha-Britynee Carter

Best Band on the Road

1st: Ooutrage – Jewels of Barbados – Trevor Chase

2nd: Gwyneth Squires – This is My Land – Gwyneth Squires

3rd – Betty West –Ah Feeling So – Betty West

King of the Bands

1st – Ooutrage – De Crown Jewel Trevor Chase

2nd – Dawn of a New Day – Gwyneth Squires

3rd – Ah Feeling So – Betty West

Queen of the Bands

1st – Refugees – Madam Butterfly – Katrina Grimell

2nd – Ooutrage – Jade of Fame –Sophia Chase

Festival Designer of the Year

1st: Gwyneth Squires - This is My Land - Gwyneth Squires

2nd: Betty West - Ah Feeling So - Betty West

3rd: none awarded

Most Colourful Small Band

Ooutrage - Jewels of Barbados - Trevor Chase

Most Colourful Large Band

Power X 4 - Y Barbados - Chetwyn Stewart

SEE FULL STORY AND RESULTS IN TOMORROW'S DAILY NATION.