New Independence Activities Revealed

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Friday, 14 October 2011 02:30

By caribarena news

Antigua St John's - Organisers have reported that plans are moving steadily along for the celebration of Antigua & Barbuda’s 30th anniversary of Independence, under the theme, "Antigua and Barbuda, One Family, Moving Towards a Secured Future".

“I must credit the members of the committee for working under the trying circumstances of a limited budget, but yet still, magically able to put an exceptional programme together,” Chairman and Minister of Culture Eleston Adams said this week.

The milestone celebration will feature a mix of traditional activities and new ones.

A National Day of Prayer will be held for the first time on Friday October 21. The Independence Steering Committee has suggested that all churches encourage their congregations to join in the solemn occasion.

Church leaders and pastors from different denominations will assemble at the House of Culture for a ceremony that  afternoon at 5.

The traditional Thanksgiving Service will still be held, and takes place this year at the New Bethel Seventh Day Adventist Church in Liberta on Sunday October 23.

Two new activities listed on the programme are the Buy Local Street Fair on lower St Mary’s Street on Thursday October 27 and Friday October 28, and a National Dress Parade, also on Friday.

Nationals were urged to come out in their national dress and make use of the usual tasteful variations to join in what is expected to be a colourful celebration through St John’s. The parade, which starts at the Multi-Purpose Exhibition and Cultural Centre at Perry Bay, will head up Market Street and end at the ARG, where it will culminate with a cultural exposition.

The Street Fair is intended to expose Antiguan & Barbudan crafts people, artists, food producers and others. Registration is underway at the Culture Division, and ends next Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the Independence Music Awards will shine the spotlight on the incredible musical talents of Antiguans and Barbudans who have excelled in the music industry. The gala event will take place at the Dean William Lake Cultural Centre on the eve of Independence, Monday October 31.

The other traditional activities of the celebrations are still very much a part of this year’s programme. The National Youth Rally, to be held on Thursday  October 27, and the Ceremonial Parade on Independence Day, Tuesday November 1, will both be held at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

On Independence Day, the nation will also hear from Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer. The annual Food Fair and Panache competition will also be featured on Independence Day.

Listed among the cultural activities are Folk Night, Evening of Dance, Festival of Choirs, Jubilation Concert, School Steel Band competition, and the Homecoming Queen Pageant - a traditional highlight,which will be held this year on Friday October 28.


The gala Independence Banquet will be held this year on Saturday October 29 at the Grande Sandals Resort.

Minister Adams said he was pleased with the work done so far, and is looking forward to the highest possible participation by nationals and all those who call Antigua and Barbuda their home.

The full slate of activities on the Independence programme, including events on the sister island of Barbuda, are slated to be released next week.

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