Cuba Street Carnival 2009

Tim Cooke, of percussion and dance group Wellington Batucada,
thinks their giant anglerfish has a fighting chance
in the Cuba St Carnival float competition
Photo by Phil Reid, Dominion Post

The reigning winners of the Cuba St Carnival parade float competition are hoping to hook this year’s title with their huge anglerfish.

Wellington Batucada’s Tim Cooke, pictured, said the float was coming together after a month and a half of hard work, under the instruction of head designer Mike Abbey.

“This is his creation, his big fish monstrosity,” Mr Cooke said.

“It’s going to be pulled behind the Havana truck with a fisherman on the back pulling on his fishing rod.”

Instead of a small light in front of its head attract prey, this toothy fellow will boast a shiny disco ball.

The group’s winning entry in the 2007 parade was a giant taniwha.

Mr Cooke was expecting some tough competition this weekend but thought their anglerfish was in with a fighting chance.

Wellington Batucada is a percussion and dancing group that formed out of 2001’s Cuba St Carnival. Fifty drummers and fifty dancers from the group will participate in the carnival parade on Saturday night, which is the biggest event on the group’s calendar.

Dominion Post, 24 February 2009