Barbados will continue its republican march today when The Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic is installed as President during the Independence Day Parade at the worldrenowned Kensington Oval.
Outgoing President The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason, beloved by Barbadians, is expected to make one last official public appearance in this setting, waving goodbye to the loyal sons and daughters of Barbados whose hearts she touched eight years ago when she was first appointed Governor General.
Dame Sandra has created history as the last Governor General from 2018-2021 under the monarchical system and the first President in the parliamentary republic.
This year’s parade promises to be especially memorable as in addition to the customary pomp and pageantry, the installation of the second President will also form part of the marking of the 59th anniversary of Independence and the fourth as a republic.
A former Minister of Health and a highly decorated military officer in the Barbados Defence Force (BDF), Bostic played a pivotal role in guiding Barbados through the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 with the trademark rallying cry: “No Retreat, No Surrender” that earned him widespread acclaim for his leadership during one of the country’s most challenging periods.
Dignitaries
Along with the local dignitaries, the ceremony will be attended by Prime Minister of Guyana, Brigadier Mark Phillips, and other high-ranking overseas officials.
Commander Derrick Brathwaite of the BDF will direct 1 000 parading participants, representing armed and unarmed units.
Detachment units will include the BDF and Barbados Police Service along with their bands, the Barbados Cadet Corps and its band, Barbados Fire Service and Fire Cadets, and the Barbados YouthADVANCE Corps.
The Barbados Coast Guard, St John Ambulance Association of Barbados, Barbados Landship Association, the Seventh-Day Adventist Pathfinders and its band, and the Barbados Legion will also form part of the procession.
The ceremony will feature the National Awards Ceremony, the presentation of Leadership Badges to students and a special performance by the Barbados Police Service Band, in recognition of its 190th anniversary.
Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, who has
led the country since 2018, will then give the customary address to Barbadians to bring an end to the formal proceedings.
From there the troops will carry on their march through The City, where members of Cabinet will take the salute outside the historic Parliament Buildings.
To accommodate the parade, a number of traffic changes will be in effect from 5 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Fontabelle Road, from its junction with Lakes Folly and Redman Drive, to its junction with President Kennedy Drive and Holborn Circle; and President Kennedy Drive, from its junction with Westbury Road to its junction with Holborn Circle, will be closed to all vehicular traffic, except public service vehicles.
As the parade progresses, there will be traffic delays along Fontabelle Road, Cheapside Road, Chapel Street, Prince Alfred Street, Broad Street, Trafalgar Street, Bridge Street, Charles Duncan O’Neal Bridge, Probyn Street, Bay Street, Lower Fairchild Street, Marhill Street, James Street, Magazine Lane, Coleridge Street and Independence Square.
Traffic changes
Police officers will be deployed to assist with traffic management and drivers will not be allowed to remain stationary on Westbury Road, President Kennedy Drive, Cheapside Road, Redman Drive, Prescod Boulevard, the road leading to Hanschell Inniss, Pickwick Gap, University Row, Mighty Grynner Highway and Kensington New Road.
Parking will be provided at the following locations for designated people with shuttle services: Kensington Oval – VVIPs; Parliament and Rickett Street – parliamentarians; Cube Blue Barbados Port Inc. – award recipients; Government Headquarters – honourees; Supreme Court and Helipad – participants (parents and children); State House – President’s guests (Toast To The Nation); Government Procurement – diplomats, judiciary, emergency services; University of the West Indies car park – invitees; and Kensington Mall – staff or designated people. ( AC)
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