The two most prominent and highly anticipated events of Point Fortin Borough Day celebrations – J’Ouvert and Pan-on-the-Move – are set for Saturday, when thousands of people are expected to converge on the streets.
On April 30, 1980, Point Fortin became a borough, and traditionally J’Ouvert has been held before dawn on the first Saturday in May.
In 2020 and 2021, the Point Fortin Borough Corporation Council cancelled its physical Borough Day festivities owing to the pandemic.
In 2022, the celebrations resumed but in a scaled-down manner. As a precautionary measure to prevent the coronavirus spread, there were no J’Ouvert celebrations.
This year the borough celebrates its 43rd anniversary, the theme is Building a Future, Creating a Legacy.
J’Ouvert is set for 4 am on Saturday, followed by the Parade of the Bands at 1 pm. At 2 pm is LUAU: MP charity event at Bernadette Drive, Clifton Hill, and 5 pm is Pan-on-the-Move.
Sixteen bands including Desperadoes, Renegades, Phase II, Exodus, All Stars, Tropical Angel Harps, La Brea Nightengales, Point Fortin Tornadoes, Skiffle, Siparia Deltones, Police Band, Silver Harps, Starland, Jah Roots, Arima Angel Harps and Redemption Sound Setters.
[caption id="attachment_1014378" align="alignnone" width="1024"] SuperBlue and Ronnie McIntosh will perform at Bedrock, Lake Asphalt, for Point Fortin Borough Day celebrations. - David Reid[/caption]
The month-long celebration started on April 8 with tennis at Coronation Park and ends on May 8 with Memorial Monday, The Cooldown, at Gonzales Recreation Ground from midday. On Sunday Ronnie McIntosh and SuperBlue will perform at Bedrock at Lake Asphalt.
The celebrations included a military parade, business fair, health fair, the Niherst Science Fair, stickfighting competition, junior calypso monarch competition, primary school monologue competition, and sports.
Another event Bollywood in Hollywood was held under the theme, Come Home, on May 3 at Point Ligoure Grounds. It featured several artistes like Prophet Benjamin, Chutney All Stars, and Edward Ramdass.
Point Fortin mayor Saleema Thomas and MP Kennedy Richards Jr have been promoting the events, encouraging people to come and experience the various activities.
A Facebook post on Sunday from the mayor said, “As we celebrate this milestone, let us take a moment to reflect on the progress and achievements we have made thus far.”
The borough, she added, was built on a solid foundation of hard work, dedication, and a shared vision of a better future.
“We have come a long way since our humble beginnings, and we have much to be proud of. As we look towards the future, let us continue to build on this foundation and create a legacy that will be remembered for generations to come,” she said.
“Let us work together to tackle the challenges that lie ahead and to build a brighter, more prosperous future for us as burgesses. We owe it to ourselves and to future generations to continue to strive for excellence in all that we do.”
On Thursday, a statement from the National
