Yendi Phillipps, family take in carnival from the sidelines

Though the bands and their revellers in big, colourful costumes are a major part of the Carnival in Jamaica Road March experience, spectators who stand on the sidelines to watch, sing, dance and snap photos also help shape the atmosphere. On Sunday, as the eight sections of the Smirnoff Gen XS band crossed the stage at Trafalgar Road and Knutsford Boulevard, one family was among those taking it all in.

For Israel McGregor, affectionately called Izzy, this was her third year watching from the sidelines. Her favourite part of the experience is simple: “I love seeing the costumes, the big backpacks, the colours and all. Plus seeing people enjoy themselves to the music,” the 13-year-old told The Gleaner.

Her mother, Yendi Phillips, a media personality and Miss Jamaica World 2007 and Miss Universe Jamaica 2010 titleholder, who has had her fair share of carnival chipping, shared that while children need to experience elements of the culture, there should also be an age-appropriate time for exposure.

“I definitely think that there is an age-appropriate time to expose them because obviously it’s a space where people are very free and very uninhibited,” she said, adding, “But I think the preservation of culture is important, and the best way to preserve culture is to actually have children live and experience it in real time.”

She further highlighted that the music, camaraderie and fellowship are all valuable experiences for children. “And when they grow up, ultimately to be a part of it,” she added, emphasising that full participation comes later in adulthood.

Izzy, who hopes to take part in the festivities when she is older, said she would want to experience it with her mom. Chiming in on whether she would go back on the road, Yendi added, “I don’t know. I might do the road again when she does her first one. I might come out with her – kind of like a LeBron and Bronny moment.”

lifestyle@gleanerjm.com