DESPITE missing steel beams and other issues during construction, it was clear the North Stand and Panorama had made a strong return to Carnival after a two-year hiatus because of the pandemic.

Pan Trinbago president Beverley Ramsey-Moore said on Sunday afternoon that over 5,000 tickets were sold for the stand that was closed in 2018.

There were already hundreds of people in the stand by the Panorama semifinals 1 pm start.

[caption id="attachment_999545" align="alignnone" width="1024"] PANTASTIC VIBES:Pannists from Courts Sound Specialists have great fun during the band’s performance in the Panorama semis on Sunday at the Queen’s Park Savannah. PHOTO BYROGER JACOB -[/caption]

Ramsey-Moore said she was at a loss for words when asked to describe how she felt about the response to the event.

She said she was “so proud” of what was happening, looking on as thousands of people filled the stand.

“It is our Diamond Jubilee and thus far, we are only rolling up the medium bands, you can imagine what is going to take place later when the large bands enter this space,” she said, speaking to the growing crowd.

She anticipated the stand would reach its full 7,000 capacity and the Grand Stand would have about 2,000 people.

[caption id="attachment_999538" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Pan Trinbago president Beverley Ramsey-Moore speaking to Newsday reporter Melissa Doughty, right, during a break in the performance at the Panorama semis on Sunday at the Queen's Park Savannah in Port of Spain. PHOTOS BY ROGER JACOB -[/caption]

She thanked TT and pan lovers worldwide for the event’s success.

“Pan is definitely on a higher note and this energy will continue. We continue into April with the return of Pan in the 21st century.”

Ramsey-Moore said the instrument was now being safeguarded by the nation’s youth and they were in the panyards.

Pan was also keeping the youth safe, “It is like drums for peace,” she added.

Unlike previous Panoramas, activity at the Greens was scheduled to be held later where a number of artistes were expected to perform. “That, too, will be extremely wonderful,” she said.

For pan player, young Brenndon George of Supernovas Steel Orchestra it was good to be back.

He said many used Panorama as an earning tool and was glad for the return of pan players’ remittances. It was announced in January by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts that each player would receive $500. This was good news for George.

“Any way I can get more money, I am always pleased,” he said. He has been playing pan for ten years.

[caption id="attachment_999539" align="alignnone" width="1024"] PAN WAVE: Pan enthusiasts in the North Stand during the Panorama semis on Sunday. PHOTO BY ROGER JACOB -[/caption]

Marlon Benjamin from Laventille strolled along The Drag listening to different bands playing before taking the stage. For him, there was an atmosphere of love.

“I have not heard music so clean in so long,” he said.

Benjamin said he felt it was definitely different from how it used to be, notin