Ninth Annual Lakers Community Christmas Party

The children of the Saint Martin’s area of Belize City attended their anticipated annual Christmas party today. The festive event is now in its ninth year and each year it keeps growing. The kids were treated to food and plenty entertainment; the bouncy house turned out to be a huge attraction. All in all, they had a jolly good time on Lawrence Avenue. Here is News Five’s Isani Cayetano.

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

It’s the most wonderful time of the year and for these kids who have come together from all corners of St. Martin’s, it’s an annual event that is much anticipated.  The Lakers community Christmas party is in its ninth year and each time the gathering is held a new feature is added.

Devonte Gabourel, Partygoer

Devonte Gabourel

“The bouncy house good, the popcorn thing dehn good, the food good, the painting good.”

This year there’s a popcorn stand, as well as a bouncy house.

Glenda Trapp-Johnson

Glenda Trapp-Johnson, Organizer

“We added some entertainment this year.  As you see, we have the bouncers, we have the snow cones, we have the candy cane machine.  We add as we go along, so the more we get, the more kids come.”

Today, this end of Lawrence Avenue has been blocked off from vehicular traffic and the young partygoers have all converged on the location with their parents.  For Kiemahr Bennett it’s his first invitation and he has heard all about it from a close friend.

Kiemahr Bennett, Partygoer

Kiemahr Bennett

“It’s been fun, real good.  We talk about our feelings and thing with my friend.”

Isani Cayetano

“The music, the food, are you looking forward to any particular gift [or] being able to enjoy the bouncy house and that kind of thing?”

Kiemahr Bennett

“Yes sir, a lot.”

Visiting from Los Angeles this year is Fred Dixon.  He is well-known among Belizeans in the Diaspora.  His trip, however, is about giving back to the community.

Fred Dixon

Fred Dixon, Host

“It’s excellent, you know.  These kids really look forward to this every year, especially the kids here in this community and I think, I know, it’s just kinda like a reinvestment back in your community, giving back to your community and I think everybody should do that and I encourage every business people because this is where the grassroots of your business is.”

Isani Cayetano reporting for News Five.