Pomp and pageantry will be the order of the day when the annual Independence Day Parade is held on Wednesday, November 30.
The parade will see approximately 1,000 persons representing armed and unarmed detachments assembled at Kensington Oval from 6:30 a.m.
Admission to the parade is free, but patrons are required to have tickets for admission to the venue. These will be available from Friday, November 25, at the following locations:
- Rubis Sunset Crest St. James
- Rubis Benthams St. Lucy
- Rubis Road View St. Peter
- Rubis Belleplaine St. Andrew
- C S Pharmacy, Bridgetown
- Carlton Supermarket, Black Rock, St. Michael
- Emerald City Supermarket, Six Roads, St. Philip
- The NCF, West Terrace, St. James
The President of Barbados, Her Excellency the Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason, will inspect the armed and unarmed units and organisations on parade.
This year’s parade will be under the direction of Staff Advisor to the Chief of Staff, Commander Mark Peterson.
The event will also include an address by Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley; the investiture of the recipients of National Honours and Awards; and the presentation of leadership badges to 228 Head Boys and Head Girls from primary and secondary schools across the island. Two students – one visually impaired and the other autistic – will also receive their leadership badges.
At the end of the ceremony, the troops will march from Kensington Oval proceed along Fontabelle, on to Lower Broad Street, turning right at Jubliee Gardens on to Wharf Road and then to National Hereos Square, The City, where Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley will receive the salute along with members of Cabinet.
After the salute, the armed detachments with the exception of The Barbados Police Service (BPS), will proceed to Independence Square for dismissal. The BPS will proceed to Central Police Station for dismissal while the unarmed units will proceed to Queen’s Park via St. Michael’s Row for dismissal.