Last night we showed you the official ceremonies from the Tenth of September official ceremony, which this year was held on Monday the eleventh. Well after that, it was unto the streets for the citizens parade but not before the UDP and the PUP could jostle a little over who would march first. As the party in government, the PUP leadership wanted to be first, but the UDP, as the party with the spiritual lineage to the loyal and patriotic order of the Baymen, insisted that it had digs on the first spot. The UDP eventually moved into that position and took the lead. We pick it up after that.
Jules Vasquez Reporting,
From there it was on to the streets where after some jostling with the PUP, the UDP took the lead in the parade and made a spirited showing when we caught them at the bridge foot, where municipal and national leaders were flanked shoulder to shoulder.
And while the UDP was waving flags and singing, the PUP leadership - marching in the Tenth parade for the first time, possibly in 20 years - seemed somber and joyless, certainly uncomfortable on this unfamiliar ground, even though they did bring support and snappy-looking shirts.
We next caught up with the parade at Albert Street where Barrow's UDP was still in confident stride. But on the PUP leadership side, the numbers had waned, and the only ones left were south side Ministers Cordel Hyde and Mark Espat
And putting their imprint al over this one, UDP political figures also entered floats in the parade,
And while religious leaders, scouts, drumming troupes, beauty queens, young and old, musclemen, and some notable patriots with their flags, joined a few scattered well-meaning but low intensity jump-up crews...and we thought that was the end of it, a respectable parade, by no means spectacular, and a far ways off from the heyday of the Tenth.
But creeping up; 10 minutes behind, was the proof that the Tenth is alive, its spirit animated by Kenny Gladden with New Creation Band. And it was with that, rags and flags and rolling sea of Belizeans of different colors, ages, and backgrounds massed together, one and a half solid city blocks strong under one flag and with one spirit, jumping and waving in jubilation and abandon, a scene that the Albert's had not witnessed in over two decades, one city under a Tenth of September groove.
The September celebrations continue tonight with the Tribute to Belizean Patriots at the Bliss Center. 25 outstanding Belizeans will be honored while Assad Shoman and Meg Craig will be conferred with the Order of Belize.
