IT LITERALLY RAINED on their parade on Friday night, but the Royal Barbados Police Force (RBPF) members still pulled off an eye-pleasing tattoo at the annual Holetown Festival which ended last night.
Armed with umbrellas, locals and visitors lined the Trents Playing Field in St James to take in the staple event which lasted for an hour and a half. The intermittent showers, which resulted in muddy conditions, were not enough to dampen the spectacular display put on by various units of the force, as well as the Barbados Fire Service.
The lawmen showed why they are so highly regarded across the region as they captivated the well over 3 000 spectators with their wide array of performances. From the baton swinging of the Barbadian and Anguillan recruits at the Regional Police Training Centre, to the well-trained members of the canine unit, the performances kept everyone glued to the action.
As usual, the Royal Barbados Police Band was a spectacle in itself, performing in the tradition of excellence for which it is renowned. The drill squad was robbed of showing off their finest skills as the sound system encountered some technical challenges and interrupted their performance. However, what they were able to offer was truly appreciated, as in some instances they integrated precision with rhythm.
Perhaps the most challenging aspect of the night may have been for the Mounted Troops. The extensive training they undergo was tested, given the conditions, as they delighted the crowd, particularly with their second presentation which was to show off their skills to the music of the band. It included an elimination process with two mounted riders left at the end as they tried to claim the sack.
Unfortunately, the members of the motorcycle unit, as talented riders they are, did not take the chance to showcase their talent under those conditions.
Members of the Dynasty Cheerleaders also performed as did those of the Fire Service, who outlined the challenges in extinguishing a vehicle fire and what steps they followed when undertaking what is often a hazardous duty.
Not only was the tattoo an entertainment-filled evening, it was also a way for the RBPF to reach out to the community.
Inspector Anderson Whitehall, director of the tattoo, said once again he was pleased with the officers’ performance.
“Very much pleased with tonight’s performance and I’m sure my Commissioner of Police is pleased as well. We come and do a practice the day before and we iron out any problems we have that day. Then the night time, we execute our movements with grace. Even with the rain, we had no hiccups at all,” he said.
Following the tattoo, all those on parade marched through Holetown, much to the delight of many who had lined the streets cheering on. The motorcycle unit participated in this aspect as did a tuk bank, while the contestants in last night’s Miss Holetown Queen Pageant, as well as the outgoing queen drove in open back vehicles. (DB)
