2025 Holetown Festival stirs excitement

The 2025 Holetown Festival was in full swing on Saturday morning as the highly anticipated street fair kicked off at 8 a.m. Among the drawing cards was the George Ullyett Memorial Classic Car and Street Parade, presented by Courtesy Garage. Looking pristine under the morning sun, the vintage cars excited the automobile enthusiasts among the crowd.

As the excitement built, spectators lined the streets in anticipation of the parade. Included in the procession of the uniformed groups were the Zouave Band of the Barbados Defence Force, the Barbados Cadet Corps and the youthful members of Boys Scouts, Brownies and Blossoms.

The Barbados Cadet Corps was on parade.

In the cultural showcase that followed, costumed revelers chipped along to the sounds of the tuk band. This spectacle included mini mother sallies and shaggy bears, who thrilled onlookers with their flips and acrobatics on the roadway. The excitement continued with a kaleidoscope of colour as cheerleading teams from both primary and secondary schools delivered high-energy performances, impressing the audience with their synchronised routines.

Beyond the parade, the street fair was bustling with activity. A diverse network of vendors offered an array of items, ranging from artwork to clothing. Among the exhibitors was the Ann Hill School, which caters to children with special educational needs. Senior teacher Natalie Alleyne-Hill expressed her delight at the positive reception, sharing with Barbados TODAY, “This is our first time at Holetown, and it is going well. We are getting the students’ ceramic work out there, along with their other art pieces and agricultural science projects.”

The team from Ann Hill School showed off the handiwork of their students.

The National Well-being and HIV Commission also had a presence, setting up an interactive booth as part of Love Safely Week 2025, which ran from February 9 to 15. Patrons could engage in an educational game where they could win prizes, while also raising awareness about sexual health. 

Volunteer Fiona Weekes noted an increasing trend in sexually transmitted infections (STIs), particularly syphilis and gonorrhea, however over the course of their activities they have seen individuals being more receptive to getting information.  Emphasising the importance of testing, she said, “That is why we are pushing and asking persons to know their status.” 

Weekes detailed, “We offer full blood screening at the polyclinics, and we want people to be aware that these diseases exist — they can be treated, and they can be cured.” She urged festival goers to consider not just HIV but all STIs, encouraging a proactive approach to sexual health. (STT)