Probably in the early to mid eighties:
We were enjoying what we had hoped to be a romantic dinner, just the two of us, at Antoines. Out of nowhere we started to feel the floor vibrating beneath our feet. No noise, just a vibration that got stronger and stronger. I’d not even finished one glass of wine so I knew it wasn’t that making the earth move under my feet.
We were about to ask what was going on when we started to hear music in the distance. Lots of music. As we sat there eating, it got louder. As it came closer and got louder yet, the waiter finally came by and told us we were lucky because by the time we finished our meal they'd probably be just about out front and we could see the pre-carnival parade up close and personal from the sidewalk.
We had never heard of the “pre-Carnival” parade and would never have ventured into town that night had we known about it. Not exactly the romantic dinner we had planned on but interesting, for sure. But at the same time, a unique island experience.
The parade finally made its way down Front Street to our general location. I think every large truck on the island was tricked out with bands, singers, dancers and speakers running off generators attached was in that parade - and OMG! They were blaring their speakers at the highest volume level, I’m sure. And I’m equally certain that half the island population had come out to enjoy and be a part of the event.
The followers were dancing down the street with the parade behind, in front of and along side the trucks, shaking their bodies to the pulsating tempo of the music of their particular truck. We’d never before seen anything like it, nor have we since. I won’t go into detail about the dancing but it was certainly a sight to see.
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