Gerard Kelly - History

Out of 237 Western Main Road, Cocorite, Trinidad came Gerard Kelly Children’s Carnival.  With the first production for 2000 entitled “Water, Water Everywhere”, and a small - sized band of young masqueraders, Kelly copped First Place in Small Category.

Kelly has had continued success through the years, with the Band growing to Medium strength and continuing with productions such as:

        “Ah hearing Drums” - 2001;  
        “In Grannie’s Garden” -  2002;
        “Sweet fuh So!” -  2003;
        “Dat In Season” -  2004;  
        “De Bridal Party” -  2005;
        “Outta de MarketPlace…” -  2006
        “Wonders of the World” -  2007.

Throughout his years of involvement in Mas, Gerard Kelly has been fortunate to work along many famed designers like Peter Minshall and the late Mack Copeland. The Kiddies’ Mas proved no different having worked alongside Richard Bartholomew, Nicole Cobham and at present, Lisa Mollineau.

Mention must be made of the talents of Mr Kendal De Peaza, whose wire-bending skill has taken the Mas to a higher level. His work has been quite prevalent in the productions of the Band. A major asset to the Carnival artform, indeed!

The Band has had its own music truck on the road from inception with the power sounds of DJ Studio Guyz, who have served Kelly and his members faithfully through the years.

The Band also has to its credit the fact that it started by being the first totally all-inclusive kids’ band in 2003 and has maintained this, much to the delight of the kids and parents alike. The children are treated to eats, drinks and snacks on the road all day. What a treat!!!

Gerard Kelly has a soft spot for kids and tries to ensure that the less fortunate among us also get a taste of Carnival. From inception in 2000, Kelly sponsored a section for the kids at the Christ Child Convalescent Home. He since extended the offer to the boys of St Michael’s School for Boys and also to the girls of St Jude’s Home for Girls. This is done solely on Kelly’s part, however, it is the intention to invite sponsors from sectors of the community, to enable a greater number of children to participate.

Kelly is guided by everyday reflections of life along with inspiration and advice from some of the kids when choosing his portrayals. In all his efforts, Kelly has managed to strike a balance between beauty, comfort and enjoyment for the kids, making him the favourite “Uncle Gerard” for many of them.

 Kiddies’ Mas takes place over a three-week period with six (6) days of competitions. During this time, the Band has always held its winning streak gaining First Place at several of these events.

This sweep of titles in the various competitions includes the Medium Band of the Year for 2003, 2005 and 2007.

Gerard Kelly’s children also made appearances on the stage of the International Soca Monarch Competition in 2001 performing backup for one of our local entertainers; at a World Cup Qualifier at the National Stadium in 2001; and alongside highly renowned Children Carnival Band Leader Rosalind Gabriel at a function in 2005 held in honour of the Vice President of China. Some of his costumes have also been showcased at the Carnival Institute’s Launch of Carnival in 2005.

His work has traveled to many festivals outside of Trinidad & Tobago. Kelly has produced children’s costumes for St Maarten, Cayman Islands and San Francisco. Adult costumes have also been produced for Cayman Islands, St Maarten, Barbados, Miami, New York and San Francisco.

Carnival 2007 took Kelly to broader horizons. Ghana, Africa got its first taste of Carnival with Gerard Kelly at the helm. Kelly created history taking our fine artform to the people of Kumasi, Ghana. 

Kiddies’ Carnival is colour, pretty mas, good clean fun and lots of high energy and that is what  Gerard Kelly Children’s Carnival  is all about!!!!