Principal Assistant Secretary – Mr. Wakely Daniel
Charlestown, Nevis
August 26, 2013
The observance of the Federation’s 30th independence anniversary on Nevis will bring new additions to its month-long list of activities, among them, a major change to the celebration of Independence Day on September 19, 2013.
The disclosure came from Principal Assistant Secretary in the Premier’s Ministry Mr. Wakely Daniel in an interview with the Department of Information at his Bath Hotel office on August 23, 2013.
“Thursday the 19th, Independence Day, in the morning, we will have the Independence Parade [and] in the evening the Independence Cocktail and Award Ceremony.
“In previous years, what would have happened is that the awards would have been given at the parade at the Park. This year promises to be a year with a difference, in that, the awards will be presented to the awardees at the Independence Cocktail Party,” he said.
Mr. Daniel described the other activities to mark the anniversary as a grand affair which was tailored to encourage participation from all sectors of the community.
“Independence 30 this year, promises to be a grand affair. It promises to have something for all. No matter what you’re into, it’s something that you can enjoy.
“I, of course, would encourage all this year that it is 30 years and that we are maturing as a nation to go out and celebrate and to, of course, wear your patriotic hat, wear your patriotic shirt, pants whatever you may have because the calendar is here. It is something that has something for all,” he said.
According to Mr. Daniel, the celebrations would commence ahead of Independence Day from September 15th with a thanksgiving service at the followed by a 30/30 cricket match at the Elquemedo Willett Park.
On Monday September 16th, which is observed annually as National Heroes’ Day, will be a 10K road run in the morning and later that day horse racing.
“Of course most persons would remember years ago, it was a staple on the island of Nevis where we would have the 10K run from the airport to Charlestown. This year, we are bringing back the 10K run and it will be a part of Independence 30.
“In the afternoon at 3:00 p.m. [will be] horse racing, you have the Don Bartlette Memorial Stake. Interestingly enough, the Horse Racing Association will be celebrating 45 years of horse racing on the island of Nevis and leading up to September the 16th, they will have a week of activities with a horse race at the Don Bartlette Memorial Stake at 3:00 p.m.,” he explained.
Also on that day, there will be a presentation by the Harmony United Choir Concert led by Mrs. Carmella Lawrence at Nevis Performing Arts Centre at 7:00 p.m.
On Wednesday September 18, 2013, students on the island will be given treats while an inter village keep clean campaign will be launched.
“On Wednesday the 18th of September [there will be] School Independence Treat. Of course, yes, we’ll have something for school children where they will be given once again their independence treat.
“In addition to that we will have the launch of a Clean Village Competition. This competition will be spearheaded by the Ministry of Tourism and the launching will take place on the 18th of September. It will run for a few months so all those persons, all those villagers from the different communities in Nevis, you will be involved in this. Of course, we will all be striving for the best village on Nevis,” he said.
Independence Drag Racing will be held at the St. James’ Raceway will be one of the activities carded for Saturday September 21st. On that same day there will also be a beach cleanup day in keeping with International Coastal Cleanup Day.
According to Mr. Daniel, on Sunday September 22nd the final day of the 30th anniversary of Independence celebrations, a Soccer-rama will be held at the Elquemedo Willett Park in Charlestown.
“The Sports Department, Mr. Jamir Claxton and his group will pull this event off at the Park. So all of you footballers who are out there, start getting ready because it will be an intense competition. It will be one that we will never forget, Independence Soccer-Rama,” he said.