“If I could dance meringue, I know you could dance it too,” a fungi band played from a moving truck on Monday evening while leading about 20 people toward the Rita Francis Festiville for the opening of the August Emancipation Festival.
Residents carrying torches danced along behind the truck, and more people joined in as the procession neared the village.
Isola Narine recalled attending similar torchlight processions as a child, and said she is glad that the tradition has resumed in recent years.
“It’s the excitement and tradition that keeps me coming back,” Ms. Narine said as another attendee lit her torch. “I feel like once you’re part of the community you should try to participate as much as possible.”
Speakers at the opening ceremony, including acting Premier Dr. Kedrick Pickering and Education and Culture Minister Myron Walwyn, encouraged residents to participate in Festival events this year.
Also during the ceremony, Rita Francis, a longtime booth owner for whom this year’s village was named, was honoured for her contributions to the celebrations over the years.
See the July 28, 2016 edition for full coverage.
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