Revellers were treated to a unique mixture of feteing, food and games at Xodus Tailgate on Thursday.

“It’s very relaxed, very fun and good music! Listen, we’re playing dominoes in a party. When does that happen?” one partygoer asked as she slammed down her domino, winning her match.

There were many similar scenes as people popped out grills and coolers to chef it up against a background of soca music.

Executive Director of Xodus Kamal Bankay said, “That’s the point, it’s a different vibe completely. It provides you with an opportunity to literally come here and behave like you’re in your backyard but when everybody does that together at the same time there is an energy, a vibe.”

Miss Universe Trinidad and Tobago 2023 Faith Gillezeau strikes a pose at Xodus Tailgate as she enjoys carnival season in Jamaica. (Photo: Llewellyn Wynter)

This trio of doctors turned up the heat at Xodus Tailgate, from left Dr Gillian Steele Green, Dr Hanna Graham and Dr Celina Leighton (Photo: Llewellyn Wynter)

Set up across three car parks at the National Stadium, the event allowed partygoers to either walk in or pay a flat rate to enter in a vehicle with their crew.

The atmosphere on the outskirts was more relaxed, with several gorgeous photo booths, multiple inflatable rides and even a mechanical bull for partygoers.

Closer to the centre and the main stage was the heart of the party, with revellers gathering to ‘wuk up’ to their favorite soca tunes.

It was the first event of the season in their first carnival for Haitian trio Loudson, Johnny and V.

“It’s just the culture, the people, the love, I know that I’m gonna get straight love,” said V, explaining his choice to do carnival in Jamaica and start with Tailgate.

Kalifa Clarke shows off her militant outfit during Xodus Tailgate (Photo: Llewellyn Wynter)

Promoters did an excellent job of structuring the event so the music and stage were visible from everywhere, allowing those who chose to stay further back to feel like they were included in the action without being overwhelmed.

The crowd for the event filled the car parks and main stage, which was no less than what Bankay expected.

“It’s massive here tonight, it’s a whole movement. The energy, the concept is real and expanding every year,” he told Observer Online.

An exciting part of the evening was the fire-dancers hired by Lucozade to “bring the energy.”

Rena Negrick and Akayla Vaccianna danced alongside their coworkers with flaming hula hoops managing to draw the soca fanatics away from the music to watch.

Devon Grant of Devon Grant Custom Brokers, who was a chef for the night, poses next to Honor Robinson and Kishroy Robinson at Xodus Tailgate. (Photo: Llewellyn Wynter)

Girlfriends (from left) Nikita Wainwright, Melanie Ramdeeen and Keisha Gonzales proved that nothing stops Carnival when you’ve got good friends to depend on! (Photo: Llewellyn Wynter)

The deejay for the event stuck to mostly soca with a bit of dancehall. Miss Universe Trinidad and Tobago 2023, Faith Gillezeau found the event very much to her liking.

“I do feel that Trinidad carnival is a little bit high intensity, Jamaica is a different vibe, different energy and really the people are what makes it different, it’s something to be observed and not so much compared to each other,” she said.

A testament to how much people loved the vibe at Tailgate, at least two people attended with leg injuries. One young man navigated the party in a boot while Melanie Ramdeen was on crutches.

When asked what brought her out despite the injury, Ramdeen said: “Carnival!”