Carole Guntley, who prides herself in being one of the original members of the Byron Lee band, was ecstatic on Sunday from her wheelchair as she watched Carnival revellers dance past her on the streets of St Andrew.

At 82, Guntley beamed with joy as she spoke to the Jamaica Observer, expressing that she was particularly proud that soca has grown exponentially as a favourite of many Jamaicans.

“I feel happy! I am one of the founding ones with Byron Lee, Jamaica Carnival, and British West Indies Airways. Carnival is something that will run smoothly once the people follow the guidance of security personnel. The music is likkle but it tallawah. The popularity of it is good and it has become popular because it was integrated with all kinds of music,” she explained.

Eighty-two-year-old Venice Dunkley, a close associate of Guntley, was particularly happy that soca is thriving, seeing that Guntley had worked hard to help build it in Jamaica.

“It’s a joy seeing this again [after the pandemic]. Thank God things are still good,” the elderly woman said.

Other senior citizens who observed the Carnival from the sidelines, expressed positve views of the road march.

One elderly man, who was with family and friends enjoying the road march on Lady Musgrave Road, was overly impressed with the stilt walkers.

“I liked to see the three men on the stilt. They had such a far way to go and they did real good.”

His friend was impressed by the ladies and their costumes.

“The ladies’ costumes were revealing and creative,” he said with a smile.

A 20-year-old man, who was the youngest among the group, and the eldest, who was an 84-year-old woman in a wheelchair, enjoyed every bit of the music.

“I love the music and the vibes and everything,” the young man told the Observer.