By Shamar Blunt
The 2022 Independence Day parade was a splendid display of pomp and pageantry to celebrate the 56th anniversary of its break from Britain and first year as a parliamentary republic.
This year’s march through The City was also special because it was the first full parade of the armed and unarmed forces since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March of 2020.
The streets from Kensington Oval to Heroes Square were lined with excited locals and visitors alike who all picked from several vantage points to see the procession as it made its way to the heart of The City at the end of the annual display and awards ceremony at the Oval.
Though some early morning showers were initially predicted, cloudy skies quickly gave way to warm sunshine and minimal breeze, as detachments from the Barbados Police Service, Barbados Defence Force, Barbados Cadets, Barbados Fire Service, Barbados Youth Advance Corps, and other organisations, made their way to Heroes Square in their impressive uniforms.
Barbadians danced and sang along the route to several of the local favourites played by the bands of the Barbados Police Service and Barbados Defence Force including classics from the Mighty Grynner and Mighty Gabby and some of the more popular 2022 hits.
Many locals along the route said it was a great feeling to be out this year after two “hard” years of the pandemic. “It feels great to be out,” said one spectator. “I love seeing this parade every year and this year feels special because there are no more restrictions. It just feels great.”
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