Tiny reveller steals the spotlight on Hope Road

Hundreds of masqueraders were chipping along Hope Road in St Andrew on Sunday, and while it was easy to miss the smaller moments unfolding along the road, nobody could miss an eight-year-old in the midst of the fête.

Right there between a cluster of women dancing to the music and on top of trucks was Tessa Toupicov, her tiny figure donned in a blue and white dress, and face dotted with tiny jewels that caught the sunlight each time she turned.

She wasn’t in costume like the others, but she danced innocently and was having a good time. “I am having fun with my sister,” Tessa said.

Her older sister, Scarlett Toupicov, stayed close to make sure the young girl was safe as the crowd surged forward.

“Tessa was born here in Jamaica, so this is something she naturally gravitates to,” Scarlett explained.

“My mom actually came out to watch carnival, but when she saw me, she got really excited and wanted to walk along with me for a bit. Our relatives are on the sidelines watching us.”

Scarlett, who competes in horseback riding for Jamaica, said the experience was a welcome change of pace.

“I’m usually focused on riding and training, but carnival is just pure vibes,” she said with a laugh. “I decided I wanted to jump this year and just enjoy it.”

The moment became even more special for Tessa when she spotted a familiar face in the crowd.

“She saw her friend Emily and was so happy. You could just see her light up.”

Like many other families who took their children out to watch from the sidelines, the carnival was not only a spectacle for revellers, but also a cultural experience that children can witness with wide-eyed innocence and sometimes, joyfully become a part of.

lifestyle@gleanerjm.com