Courts sought to fuse the celebrations: the megastore’s 45th anniversary, Independence and Christmas in one grand parade. And Barbadians didn’t let the opportunity pass them by.
And so, yesterday afternoon 800 plus people marched, danced and jumped through the streets of Bridgetown, dressed in colourful costumes, all the work of Barbadian designer Betty West.
The rain fell, but it would not stop children dressed in school uniform, parents, cheerleaders, little character Dora, angels, farmers, Spiderman, Mary and Joseph and the “baby Jesus”.
The primary school children waved the National Flag as they sang the words “We representing blue, yellow, Blue” amidst other Bajan calypsos and folk songs. Thousands of spectators lined the streets to witness the colourful floats that all told a story relating to either Independence or Christmas.
In the middle of the parade was the Member of Parliament for The City, Patrick Todd, moving also to the beat of the steel pan and the music of Soca Kartel.
As he chipped, the minister told the SUNDAY SUN that it was good of Courts to host the parade in the nation’s capital.
“This parade is an example of Courts being a good corporate citizen and giving back to the community. I invite any international or local business to invest in the infrastructure of the nation’s capital, and through employing Barbadians and adopting schools and neighbouring communities, provide them with financial assistance,” the MP said.
As she did her best to keep everything and everyone in the parade in place, while accepting compliments from spectators, West said she was happy for the privilege granted her by the management of Courts.
“Right after Crop-Over, Courts management told me about this and I haven’t been keeping quiet or sleeping since. This was a wonderful experience for me; I am happy to have been granted the opportunity to design the costumes for this parade.
I really am happy.”
Trisha Tannis, Courts chief executive officer, said she was overwhelmed by the response of Barbadians to the parade.
“Considering the weather, it was quite touching to see that Barbadians actually braved the rain to come out and support us in their thousands. What we tried to portray was primarily the various products we offer. But generally speaking it was an Independence . . . then flowing into Christmas,” Tannis explained. (AH)