Hundreds of citizens lined the roadsides of East Trinidad yesterday to welcome Olympic gold medallist Keshorn Walcott back to Trinidad and Tobago.

People of all walks of life used the national holiday dedicated to Walcott to come out in their numbers to show appreciation for his achievement.

After what can only be described as an overwhelming hero's welcome at Piarco International Airport, Walcott and Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar mounted the back of a Kia three-tonne van which was decorated with the national colours of red, white and black.

The motorcade departed the airport for Toco at exactly 1.15 p.m. and the gridlock of traffic began.

There was a very heavy police presence throughout with several police vehicles, police officers on motorcycles and buses as well as a helicopter accompanying the contingent.

At a snail's pace the motorcade made its way from Piarco to Toco.

From outside the airport in the vicinity of Oropune a large number of people lined the roadsides and waved their national flags.

This was the scene throughout the slow journey to Toco.

Hundreds of smiling residents came out in clothing of the national colours armed with flags and bandanas.

It was a Carnival-like atmosphere when the motorcade passed through major main junctions in Arouca, D'Abadie, Maloney, Arima and Sangre Grande.

Many became emotional, many jumped and danced while some cried in joy.

A large truck loaded with music pumped soca music, mostly hits by Machel Montano, sending people into a frenzy.

Persad-Bissessar and Walcott waved to the people as the motorcade snaked along the roadways.

Two Range Rovers drove behind with Walcott's family, at times some of the relatives stood up and waved to the people through the sun roof.

Every single bar was filled with people along the routes while restaurants kept their doors open for the expected increase in customers.

Some people had packed their coolers and lunches in their vehicles, stopping along the way to refresh themselves.

Just after 3 p.m the motorcade reached Arima, where hundreds were waiting patiently in the scorching sun to greet Walcott.

The revelry was so intense that about a dozen police officers formed a human barricade in front of the van and walked slowly as the motorcade inched through the massive crowd.

Opposition Chief Whip in the Senate, Pennelope Beckles, was among the masses in the streets joining in the celebrations.

A man clothed in a People's National Movement T-shirt and waving a red PNM flag left people in stitches as he danced in the middle of the road.

In Valencia the numbers grew bigger and pandemonium broke out at the junction as the motorcade passed through.

"Keshorn we love you!" "Kamla we love you!" "Toco!" People chanted.

Pan groups came out and serenaded the contingent as people danced in euphoria.

Most noticeable was the large number of children who came out to show support.

Babies, toddlers and teens came out in national colours, some their faces painted in red, black and white.

The celebration escalated as the motorcade slowly snaked through Sangre Grande by 6 p.m.

The crowd was the largest in San Grande on the route as scores waved their flags high and cheered on as Walcott passed through.

Nightfall came and the crowd thickened, an hour later the motorcade was stuck in Sangre Grande.

Steelband music blared and many used the opportunity to shout to the large contingent of Ministers that Toco/Sangre Grande needed attention.

"Fix we roads, remember Toco!" shouted one man.

"Together we aspire, together we Toco because Toco done achieve!" shouted another man.

While the majority of persons bellowed praises, few were critical as they cast stern glances at the large number of luxury vehicles in the motorcade, including Range Rovers and Prados.

"Allyuh driving the best!", "I never see Ministers so up here!" and "Money on the road!" were some of the shouts.

By 7 p.m the motorcade was still at a standstill in Sangre Grande where the drinks flowed and people partied on the streets.