September Celebrations Calendar Launched

Shari Williams

Following the national song competition over the weekend, the September Celebrations Committee officially announced the calendar for the 2014 September celebrations. Preparations have been underway since February of this year and the calendar is packed with activities for the entire family. News Five spoke to Communications Officer for the National Institute of Culture and History, Shari Williams today and she says that there will be the usual events, but some special features have been thrown in this year around.

Shari Williams, Communications Officer, NICH

“This year we tried to put together a pack calendar of events. We know that people are excited. The national song competition just went this weekend and it was packed to capacity so we are in full gear and we are ready for the celebrations. It kicks off on August thirty-first with the official ceremony, but on August thirtieth, we have Queen of the Bay. And like you said, all those events that happen every year are on the calendar again: the ninth night fire engine parade, Francis Reneau concert and the list goes on and on. But new features on the calendar this year, we have a daughter of the jewel—an adopted daughter of the jewel—coming back on the ninth night, Calypso Rose. And we have people calling to know when is the concert, wanting to know if it is secure. So on the ninth night of September bringing in the tenth, we have a concert called Gial Power and we are bringing in some big artists: Ernestine Carballo along with Calypso Rose. So it is going to be a great concert. On the seventh of September, we have an event that we’ll be taking out of the City to Burrell Boom; this is called Big People Party. Again it is a soca party; it promises to be exciting and big. So this is another new feature and of course of twentieth night, we have some private people doing a concert with Machel Montana and that is another big feature on the calendar this year. We have, on a more serious note, we have a lecture and it is entitled, “Futuring Belize: Exploring Options and Challenges for Economic Development;” this is to be held on the seventeenth of September. So on a more serious note; it is not just about celebration and jumping up, but really talking about economic development and where we see Belize going in the future. So the calendar is ready and is out. People can look for it on the Belize celebrations Facebook page. They can also look at the NICH website; we have it prominently on the homepage. So you could download your digital copy of your calendar, go over it, mark your calendar, make plans. The physical copy, the actual playbill, should be out by the thirty-first of August. So we look forward to a fun-filled September this year.”