NATIONAL DRESS PARADE SETS EXCITING TONE FOR 31ST INDEPENDENCE
Friday 26th October 2012
The streets of St. John’s will spring alive this Friday with an imaginative and colourful spectacle of national pride.
The occasion is the National Dress Day Parade, which was introduced this year, as one of the new additions to the activities marking the annual celebrations of Antigua and Barbuda’s Independence.
Since Heather Doram made use of the Madras to create Antigua and Barbuda’s national dress, persons have not only worn it with pride but creatively designed new and tasteful ways to portray the colours.
The organizing committee is hoping that citizens and residents will take part in the occasion, which also falls on National Dress Day, which traditionally sees persons of all walks of life turn out to their workplaces wearing the national dress.
Chairperson of the sub-committee responsible for the activity, Gilbert Laudat, said the parade is an extension to the tradition so that persons can have the opportunity to come together in their national dress in a proud celebration of another unique aspect of Antigua and Barbuda’s Independence celebrations.
“Usually persons go to their offices and go home,” Laudate stated, “but this time, we have the opportunity to bring everyone together at the end of the work day for a casual walk with music to display national pride and joyfully celebrate 30 years of Independence for Antigua and Barbuda,” Laudat stated.
The parade will begin at the Multi-Purpose Exhibition and Cultural Centre at Perry Bay at 4:30 pm and head into the city of St. John’s via Market Street.
Laudat is encouraging persons to wear their most imaginative National Dress outfits and be a part of the parade so it can be a memorable spectacle. He is also encouraging other persons who may not be able to attend to stay around St. John’s to witness the event, which he expects to grow from strength to strength in years to come.
