Nine Mornings Festival to launch this Sunday

Capital city Kingstown is expected to be a hive of activity this Sunday when the 2009 SVG Christmas/Nine Mornings Festival is officially launched in grand style at the Chamber of Commerce Car Park, beginning at 5 pm.{{more}}

The activities, which will mark the start of the 2009 celebrations and usually draws a large crowd, will get going with the traditional street parade with costumes depicting various aspects of the festivities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, accompanied by the RSVG Police Force Band, the SVG Cadet Band, Rose Hall Boom Drum and X-Pan of Sion Hill. In addition to the special light procession, the parade will also include drummers and dancers, cyclists, the Jouvert Fanatics, serenaders and groups from the rural areas. The route for the parade will be from the Chamber of Commerce Car Park along Bay Street, Higginson Street, Back Street to Heritage Square, then back to the Car Park.

Following this, there will be a short opening ceremony with Christmas greetings from corporate sponsors the National Lotteries Authority, Vinlec and the National Nine Mornings Committee. Reverend George Frederick will give special prayers and exaltation for the nation before Minister of Culture René Baptiste officially declares the festival open.

A varied cultural package will climax the evening’s activities. Scheduled to perform will be: Carlton “CP” Hall, Voices of Victory, Diadem Dancers, Cantemus, the Bowmans, Methodists Dramatists, New Life Ambassadors, New Generation Gospel Band, Sion Hill Euphonium Steel Orchestra, C.W. Prescod Primary School and a number of other traditional performances from the rural areas, including Maypole and carolers from Carriere. A crew from Carib Vision, Roamin and other regional media will be in the state to film the event, providing coverage and promotion for this unique Vincentian Christmas celebration.

The National Nine Mornings Committee is encouraging the whole of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to participate in the launch of the SVG Christmas/Nine Mornings Festival this Sunday, 29th November. The festivities are being held under the theme: “celebrating a unique Vincentian tradition”.