Third place went to "Kiss of Sun" worn by Cheryl Roach. Glittered coconut sticks, dried leaves, coconut and palm branches are used to create a flaming sun above shoulders of masquerader. Wire, cane, fiberglass, and aluminium rods are used to create frame of costume.

In King's competition, "Masquerade", worn by Tyrone Augustine, was a crowd favorite and won first.place. The costume represents splendor of National Crop Over Festival as it climaxes into a sea of color with final parade of bands. The Masquerador is 100 percent Bajan, with colors of national flag, blue and gold and black.

"Worms in Big Apple", worn by Jeffery Browne, placed second (opening photo). A magnificent creation of color and structure, it stands 15 feet high and has a span of eight feet. The body of costume is fabricated from steel, aluminium, wire, cane, fiberglass rods, and covered in foam. The main structure is a big red apple, cut to reveal its core and infested by a big worm and a few of his friends."Worms In Big Apple" eating it at core, is a satirical look of how evil in one of its manifestations can neat core of society.

This was followed by "The Flight of Flying Fish" from Cable and Wireless and worn by George Collymore, who placed third. The design paid homage to most spectacular of flying creatures...the Bajan flying fish. The massive creature stands 25 feet tall and has a span of 23 feet, a combination of aluminium and fiberglass rods, creating frames for fins and wings.

Silver mesh highlights main wings of creature. The Masquerador portrays body of fish, wearing a full-body suit including skullcap in characteristic blue and silver hues. The message was clear..."get message"...the Flight of Flying Fish...here to stay.

But undoubtedly night belonged to Rupee as he wowed estimated 16,000 fans. He started on a sensuous note with 'Tempted to Touch', before launching into 'Frenemy' and frenzy-inspiring tune, 'This is Carnival'. He increased temperature of crowd with a burst of energy, spurred by haunting horn strains of his 'Road March' contender: 'Festival'. Rupee went all out in his performance of that song as well as 'Frenemy' and 'Tempted to Touch', scrambling down from stage and onto a cameraman's platform to be close to crowd. While crowd reacted with enthusiasm, cameraman expressed his displeasure and walked off platform only returning when asked to do so by his supervisor. Renee, who was 2000 Road March winner, told crowd: "They can't keep me down."

The curtain came down with Ricky "Li'l Rick" Reid taking a second crown as his 'Hypa Daw' won "Tune of Crop." Band leader Gwyneth Squires conceded "The Large Band Of The Year" title for first time in six years, to designer Chris Williams and bandleader Chesterfield Haynes, with their production, "Cable and Wireless Contact". Contact not only won prestigious Large Band Of The Year category but also came away with top prizes in Historical, Fantasy, Traditional, Topical, and Most Colorful Band categories.

Squires won for second time, annual Robert Weekes Award for Best Festival Designer, a category which was created last year. She also won first prize in Advertising, Best Individual Male, Best Individual Female, Best Flag Person, Best Presentation, and Best Band On The Road.

Also in winners' row were Brian Corbin for Small Band of Year; Rosanne Lewis, who took top spot in Community Costume Band category; and Betty West for Best Environmental Band.

To read this entire feature FREE with photos cut and paste this link: http://www.jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/globe02/Carib02/barbados/crop/crop.html

Edwin Ali, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent – Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com

Families staying at resort will enjoy great outdoor fun together: sailing, snorkeling, kayaking, golfing, and hanging out in or around resort's seven-acre waterscape. The 700-room Radisson Cable Beach Resort also offers organized daily activities including poolside ping-pong tournaments and beach volleyball.

The Radisson Cable Beach Resort redefines concept of a tropical vacation by being "The Only All-Inclusive that offers its guests MORE" - More entertainment, More dining, More fun, and More hospitality. With six restaurants, five bars and lounges, a seven-acre waterscape, a multitude of land and water activities, and a welcoming feeling that is as warm as Bahamian sun, an all-inclusive vacation at 700-room resort offers everything a guest looks forward to.

Set on world-famous Cable Beach adjacent to one of Caribbean's largest casinos, Radisson Cable Beach Resort is conveniently located 10 minutes away from island's international airport and colorful downtown Nassau. And for shoppers, world famous Straw Market on Nassau waterfront has been completely rebuilt after a devastating fire.

A big highlight of visiting Cable Beach is its water activities. Nassau Beach Hotel has a wide variety of sports ranging from reef snorkeling to windsurfing. All guests have free access to float mats, ocean kayaks, snorkeling gear, life vests, and boards. Additional water sports include: 16 foot Prindle (catamaran), Sunfish sailboat, reef fishing, and sightseeing tours.

The Nassau Beach Hotel is very close to Crystal Cay Marine Park, a fun place to visit for people of all ages. Easily identifiable on Nassau skyline by its space-age design, Crystal Cay Marine Park is one of world's finest examples of an underwater park where nobody gets wet. The park was built around an existing reef, and families can explore a huge array of exhibits both above and below surface. Near Nassau is also famous swim with dolphin encounter, first in world. The kids will love "Flippers."

Recently, resort instituted a series of theme nights. On Friday nights from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., families can take part in American Barbeque Night. This night offerGet Your Dive Gear Here Onlines a little taste of home, while on vacation, serving up grilled sirloin steaks, grilled chicken breast, baked potato, corn on cob, baked beans, salads, fruit and desserts.

The resort also offers

To read this entire feature FREE with photos cut and paste this link: http://jetsettersmagazine.com/archive/jetezine/globe02/Carib02/bahamas/cable/cable.html

Jon Callahan , Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent – Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com