PoS

Port-of-Spain Mayor Chinua Alleyne says while people may interpret the cancellation of this year’s Independence Day Parade in their own way, the City Corporation’s priority is ensuring children are not deprived of the chance to celebrate the nation’s 63rd anniversary of independence.

That’s why the council has stepped in with a full-day programme of activities branded For the Love of Liberty, designed to honour the spirit of the occasion.

“Our hope is that the children are not deprived of an opportunity to celebrate independence and to celebrate the 63rd anniversary of independence,” Alleyne said.

“We don’t want the children of Port-of-Spain to not have that same opportunity. This is about giving them memories and traditions they can hold on to for the rest of their lives.”

The celebrations under the For the Love of Liberty banner begin at Nelson Mandela Park at 10 am with a Children’s Fun Day featuring bouncy castles, slides, snow cones, popcorn, cotton candy, and face painting.

Thereafter, families are invited to spread their blankets for Picnic in the Park, a cultural showcase of local talent.

The day’s activities culminate in the evening with Pan on the Avenue in St James, hosted in partnership with the St James Woodbrook Community Association, the Garcia family, and Pan Trinbago.

The Port-of-Spain Mayor, reflecting on his own tradition of attending Independence Day parades since childhood, said: “Even when I got into my teenage years and into my 20s and 30s, I still went every year. “I always go to buy some snow cone, and it’s something I always look forward to. I want today’s children to have their own version of that ritual, something they will never forget.”

The mayor said while cost-cutting was cited as one of the benefits of the parade’s cancellation, certain traditions should not be sacrificed.

“What I will say is that there are some things that are priceless. And our independence, our growth into a nation state, our sovereignty, those things are very precious. That is something that should be celebrated each and every year.”

He urged residents of Port-of-Spain and citizens across the country, “Come out on Independence Day. Come to Nelson Mandela Park. We’re starting at 10 am—the kids’ fun day, bouncy castles, slides, snow cone, cotton candy, the full works. Then from 12, we’ll have our cultural showcase, and at 6 pm, we’re down on the avenue for Pan on the Avenue. It’s going to be a day for everyone.”

Meanwhile, the Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation has also announced its own Independence Day programme at the Eddie Hart Grounds, Tacarigua, featuring family activities throughout the day and a fireworks display in the evening.

On August 16, the Government announced there would be no Independence Day Parade and the usual State-sponsored fireworks this year.

The Government said it was due to security concerns as the country remains under a State of Emergency (SoE). It also said some $2.6 million in savings would be realised from the cancellation of the event.

The Government said a National Day of Prayer and Reflection will be held instead.