Organizations team up to host month of Independence celebrations

A wide cross-section of cultural and sporting organizations have come together to hold events aimed at celebrating this country’s 37th anniversary of Independence.

During a press conference last week at the Carnival Development Corporation’s (CDC) office at Victoria Park, chief executive officer of the CDC Ashford Wood said that the month of activities is being held under the theme “Working together to enhance national pride”.{{more}}

He said that this year is special, because for the first time ever, groups have teamed up instead of holding separate events.

Among the organizations and individuals hosting events are the Lions Club, the St Vincent and the Grenadines Medical Association (SVGMA), the University of the West Indies (UWI), Kart Club SVG, SVG Motorcycle Association, Vincy Motorsports Club, Joanna Christopher (Miss Young Mothers Pageant) and Costie ‘Dragon’ Ralph (Dragon Karaoke Competition).

The Lions will hold their annual public speaking competition, with preliminaries beginning today, Tuesday, October 11 and ending this Friday, October 14. The finals will be held on Tuesday, October 25.

Under the theme “Vincy Read and Write,” activities will be at held at the UWI Open Campus from October 13 to 15, while the annual Independence lecture will be held on October 19 at the Methodist Church Hall in Kingstown. Dr Richard Robertson, Director of the Seismic Unit, University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad will deliver the feature address.

Talking about their activities during the press briefing last week, Shannon Durrant-Samuel of the SVG Medical Association said that it is to the Association’s benefit that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

She said that in celebration of Independence and to create breast cancer awareness, the Association will have its annual Pink Cap City Walk on Friday, October 14 and their 5K run on Sunday, October 16.

Durrant-Samuel said the public is invited to take part in their activities, as it is a way of expressing love and affection to persons diagnosed with breast cancer. She said that walkers will leave from Heritage Square at 3:30 p.m., led by the CW Prescod drummers and the La Gracia Dancers. The walk will proceed along Bay Street to Higginson Street then back to Heritage Square for a rally. During the rally, breast cancer survivors will be invited to give their testimonies.

The 5K run on Sunday, October 16, is being held in collaboration with the Trinity School of Medicine and will begin at Arnos Vale and end at Richmond Hill at the Haddon Hotel courts. Durant-Samuel is encouraging persons to wear pink to the activities.

Also speaking at the press briefing, Oneka Morgan, president of Youlou Pan Movement (YPM), said that the YPM has been part of Independence celebrations for a number of years. She said that this year, they will hold three concerts: one on Sunday, October 16 at the Sandy Bay Primary School at 4 p.m; a Pan Against Crime concert and pan jamboree on October 22 at Sion Hill at 12 noon; and In De Pan Dance on October 30th at the Calliaqua hard court at 5 p.m.

Morgan said that the October 30 event will feature the Potential Steel Orchestra and other steel orchestras, including Symphonix and Starlift. She said that the Sandy Bay concert is geared at making the rural communities aware of the steel pan.

Warren Knights of the Flow Sion Hill Euphonium Steel Orchestra said that the pan jamboree on October 22 is being held in association with FLOW and the St Vincent Brewery and will be held at the Sion Hill Intersection from 12 noon. He said that the top five steel orchestras and a top DJ will entertain persons, while the event is aimed at increasing the steel bands’ visibility, fostering camaraderie and building positive brand image that is expected to increase steel bands’ chance of attracting sponsorship and increasing gate receipts at the annual Panorama.

A number of exciting events are being held jointly by the Vincy Motorsports Club, the SVG Motorcycle Club, the Ministry of Culture, SVG Basketball Association, the Rugby Association, SVG Association of Music Professional (SVGAMP) and Cart Club SVG.

President of Vincy Motorsports Club Sanjay Jiandani said that their events usually have very good response from the public and persons look forward to them. He noted also that they are marketing the events as a tourism product.

On Sunday, October 23, Cart Club’s street challenge will be held on the Richmond Hill road, in front the Peace Memorial Hall from 12 noon. This will feature go cart racing and race cars doing dexterity exercises. The Vincy Motorsports Club’s biggest event is on Thursday, October 27, after the national parade at Victoria Park.

Jiandani said that after the parade, persons should head to the Arnos Vale Sporting Complex, where drag races and go-cart clashes will be held. This activity is being held in conjunction with SVGAMP and their “In De Music Fest”.

Jiandani added also that Vincy Motorsports and the Ministry of Culture are currently working on a street fair for Friday, October 28. They are hoping that the street fair and festival will be held in Kingstown, where a section of a street (not yet chosen) will be blocked off and displays of food, craft and music will be held.

On Saturday, October 29, the SVG Motorcycle Club will hold their event at the Arnos Vale Sporting Complex. This event will have a blend of music, basketball and rugby and a number of activities for kids. On Sunday, October 30, there will be rally races and motocross activities at Diamond. Bikers will also compete at this event.

Persons can also check out the Miss Young Mothers Pageant on October 26 at the Layou hard court.(LC)