Thousands gather for rare evening Independence Parade

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - COLORS, class and patriotism were the order of the day last evening (Sept. 18) as thousands turned out at the Cricket Stadium at Warner Park to usher in this year’s independence with the annual ceremonial parade at Warner Park.

Heavy rainfall caused the ceremony to commence late but it was not enough to deter the thousands from witnessing the momentous occasion.

With 14 different platoons on display, a rare night-time setting attracted one of the largest crowds ever at the annual parade.

Following the arrival of Commissioner of Police Celvin ‘CG’ Walwyn, Defence Force Commander Colonel Patrick Wallace, Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil Llewellyn Douglas, and the Head of State Sir Edmund Lawrence, the event officially began with the Defence Force Band sounding off the National Anthem.

The Parade consisted of various armed and unarmed services, varying from children to adults.  

The participating services were the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force, the Coast Guard, the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, the Cadet Corps, the St. Kitts-Nevis Fire and Rescue Services, the St. Christopher Air and Sea Ports Authority Security, Boys Brigade, Girls Guide, the Shadwell Overcomers and the Pathfinders, as well as, Her Majesty’s Customs and Excise Department, the St. Christopher Air and Sea Ports Authority and the Police Junior Drum Corps.

The Parade was inspected by the Governor General – who was overseeing his first ceremonial parade as Governor General - and the Prime Minister shortly after which, the salute was taken at the ceremonial march past. 

The troupes uniformly marched around the field in slow and quick time which drew appreciative applauses from the gathering.

Numerous government officials and members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps were among the thousands who were on hand to witness the event under the new lights at the Warner Park Cricket Stadium.

Despite being held in the evening over a dozen individuals on parade fell victims to the conditions and had to be removed or escorted from the parade.

The auspicious occasion was also marked by Prime Minister Douglas’ delivery of his Independence 31 address to the gathering where he spoke of the strides which he government has made on its independence journey and the noteworthy advancements which have taken place under his watch.

The parade climaxed with a five-minute brilliant fireworks display.