IT WAS A DAY of frustration along Bush Hall, St Michael, on Kadooment Day as both spectators and vendors gave the experimental complimentary route a thumbs down.

Describing it as "foolishness" and "nonsense", Sadé Brown and her family wanted to see Grand Kadooment returned to its original form.

"It sucked! We did not get to see everybody. I came here to see family and they ended up getting directed the other way, so we were up and down. If it is like this next year, I will stop home," she said.

Furthermore, some spectators set up chairs from as early as 8:30 a.m but the first band to pass along Bush Hall, Radikal, did not do so until 11:10 a.m.

"We are very disappointed. A lot of people have come here and made themselves comfortable only to end up leaving. We are staying here because it's shady and we're just going to relax, but we think the bands should alternate between the two routes with half going one way and half going the next," said Raphael Lee, a Brooklyn, New York Bajan resident who is here with his family.

A vendor, calling himself "Ras", echoed similar sentiments. He has been operating at Bush Hall for ten years and usually heads to the stadium for Kadooment. This year he decided to stay put for the new route, a decision he regretted.

"I feel like closing up and going to the stadium. This route is too short. They need to either send half the bands this way or go back to one route, Two routes can't work, and next year I will either go up to the stadium or don't sell at all," he said.

Another vendor, identifying herself as Deborah, said she decided to try and sell drinks since she lives along the new route, but sales were slow.

"I hope they are more organised next year. I think I would try this again but on a smaller scale," she said.

The difference in bands was also reflected in the spectators, who were far less than the numbers lined along the traditional route.

Police reported eight bands of the scheduled 28 were to use the alternate route, starting with Campus Boyz. However, only five bands opted to use the route: Radikal; Youth Explosion; Bajana; Refugees and Twenty X Twenty. (CA)