Committee of Forty plans Tenth parade
While the September spirit may not yet be in full swing, there has been a shift in the general atmosphere, and a sense of good things to come. But with the carnival groups doing such a good job of getting publicity for the road march on the eleventh, the public may not have noticed that another parade has been eliminated from the celebrations roster. Although there will be official ceremonies for the Tenth of September at the Memorial Park and the usual jump-up at the City Center, the Celebrations Committee has omitted the traditional parade. Not everyone is pleased with the move. Today, stating that patriotism — not politics — should rule the day, the “revived Committee of Forty” announced they will organize a parade. With just two days to go, the committee executive held an emergency press conference to ask for public support.
Edward Flowers, President, Committee of Forty
“Because of numerous requests, we have decided yes, as a group of citizens we will this year arrange to have a celebration on the Tenth morning. We hope that the citizens of the country on a whole, but more specifically in Belize City, will turn out in large numbers and as we’ve done in the past celebrate on this special day in our history.”
Sharon Pitts, Vice President, Committee of Forty
“I believe that if it’s a gap on the official calendar of events perhaps we could fill this all-important gap by our participation. To my mind the whole committee has to support whatever the whole calendar of events is and of course on Tenth morning especially, we will be part of the official ceremonies.
For my part because it is bigger than us, because it has to do with the history and patriotism of Belize when our forefathers way back in 1798 took a decisive vote by a narrow margin, but they all made the decision to defend rather than to abandon the settlement of Belize. The bravery and the patriotism was a unified response and the victory was shared by all and that we celebrate Belize, which is the theme of the celebrations, to my mind it’s for all of us to celebrate and we don’t want to leave this part out.”
The Committee of Forty is inviting anyone who wishes to march to assemble early at the Memorial Park where the Queen of the Bay will be crowned. The parade route is as follows: Memorial Park to North Front Street, Queen Street, Daly Street, Barrack Road, Victoria Street, North Front Street to the Swing Bridge, up Albert Street to Bird’s Isle where there will be an all-day fair. Donations are being sought to help defray the cost of the bands. For more information about the parade contact Sharon Pitts at 02-32577. The Queen of the Bay Committee is also inviting Belizeans to join a motorcade immediately following the official ceremonies on the Tenth morning. And, if you are not too exhausted that evening, B.T.L. is holding a “Kulcha Bram” at the B.T.L. Park from four p.m. until midnight.
