Courts Barbados to revive anniversary parade, partners with We Gatherin’

The heart of the city is set to be a kaleidoscope of colour with fantasy, music, and dance at the fore as Courts Barbados prepares to revive its anniversary parade.

The spectacle will not only celebrate the company’s 60th anniversary but also highlight its deepening commitment to the island’s cultural development. Slated to take place on November 22, 2025, it will feature more than 500 participants.

As part of the diamond anniversary festivities, the company has partnered with the We Gatherin’ initiative and is taking a prominent role in the Parish of the Month activities by hosting cultural showcases at its Emerald City, Sheraton Mall, and Bridgetown locations in July, October, and culminating in November.

At the media launch at Courts’ newest location at W Plaza in Welches, St Thomas, Managing Director of the Unicomer Barbados Group, Dr Trisha Tannis, revealed that the staging of this cultural celebration represents an investment of over $300,000 in Barbados’ creative industries.

She explained that the initiative will engage performing artists, designers, and fabricators, fostering meaningful collaboration across both public and private sectors.

“It provides Unicomer Barbados Ltd. with a powerful platform to express our deepest gratitude to generations of Barbadians who have journeyed with us, supporting the growth and evolution of our enterprise across six decades.”

Among the key initiatives is collaboration with the National Cultural Foundation (NCF), aimed at developing new financing opportunities for the fine arts sector.

“This initiative underscores our commitment not just to commerce, but to cultural enrichment that defines our Barbadian identity,” Tannis added.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office with responsibility for Culture, Senator Dr Shantal Munro-Knight, commended Courts for its continued investment in the island’s social development.

“Courts has really played a critical role in Barbadian society. You are known for your philanthropy; you are known for your community investment, and therefore it is an absolute pleasure for us to be able to partner with you.”

She stressed that partnerships under We Gatherin’ are intentional, seeking collaborators committed to uplifting communities and driving social progress.

Noting the difficulty encountered in getting people to invest in the cultural sphere, the minister said, “We look for partners that are interested in investing in community, interested in investing in social development, interested in helping us lift up perhaps some of the most difficult aspects within our society.”

Full creativity will be on display with floats being a part of the parade.

Senator Munro-Knight highlighted, “What We Gatherin’ has been able to do is provide a yearlong avenue for our cultural artists, for those within the sector to be able to get exposure, to be able to get work and to be able to participate and to showcase their talents.” (STT)