“We get the opportunity to celebrate this wonderful young man who not only provides us extraordinary music, through his voice, and through his other musical talents, but who teaches,” said Lieutenant Governor Tregenza Roach, celebrating the evening’s honoree. Despite what he called Mr. Gumbs’s “tender age,” the lieutenant governor argued that his impactful contributions to the island’s Carnival sector make him more than worthy of the accolades. 

“Anybody could win a road march, but could anybody write a song [that] wins a gubernatorial election?” Governor Albert Bryan quipped, highlighting Mr. Gumbs’s broad range of skill and expertise in creating music meant to impart specific moods or encourage specific behavior, whether it’s chipping down the road or queuing at a polling station to cast a vote. 

Mr. Gumbs’s brief remarks were overflowing with gratitude at the honor bestowed upon him. “I love all of you,” said the beaming musician. “Happy Carnival everybody!”

After the short opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony, the village was flooded with the throngs of patrons who came to sample local delicacies, purchase trinkets, and enjoy performances from a host of musicians.