Barbados Today

Hundreds of Barbadians lined the streets of the nation’s capital, Bridgetown, to sing and dance in unison as they celebrated 52 years of Independence.

Despite the morning showers, from Kensington Oval to Parliament Buildings the atmosphere was buzzing as the young and old stood proudly in their national colours of ultramarine (blue), gold and black waving their national flags.

Before the national parade began patrons were singing and dancing to popular soca songs from the four stages erected along  the route.

The performers were school orchestras and community groups such as Frederick Smith School, Israel Lovell Foundation, Waterford Music and Cultural Society Ensemble, Springer Memorial School Steel Orchestra, C6 and Cloud 9 from the Combermere School, the Haynesville drumming group, the Princess Margaret School Pop Band and the Darryl Jordan School Steel Orchestra.

The progression through the city included all of the island’s uniformed groups such as the Royal Barbados Police Force, the Barbados Defence Force, the Barbados Cadets, Girl Guides and longstanding heritage organizations such as the Barbados Landship.

The St Vincent and Grenadines Association of Barbados was also present and led by CARICOM ( Caribbean Community)  Ambassador David Commissiong.

Cultural Ambassadors Stetson Red Plastic Bag, Mighty Gabby and  Edwin Yearwood were also in the midst with the island’s cricket legends led by the national hero Sir Garfield Sobers.

The island’s primary and secondary schools were also represented by their head girls and boys as well as the 2018 Parish Ambassadors.

The sweet and melodic sounds of Barbadian music blared from the music truck, resulting in citizens belting songs such as Edwin Yearwood’s Home and Rupee’s I Am a Bajan echoed throughout Broad Street.

Visitors to the island were captivated by the sights and sounds of these proud citizens. Many stopped to record the action and some took photographs with locals dressed to the nine’s such as Miss Celebrity Barbados Wendy Boyce.