"Fittest Man" in his Irish garb
The annual week-long celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, which began which a church service last week Sunday, March 11, came alive for the second year in a row in the village of Salem with street jams and parades and the usual ‘slave feast’ on Saturday.
The island, also known as the Emerald Isle of the Caribbean, is the only place outside of Ireland where March 17 is observed as a national holiday. For Montserrat, the celebration is usually for both its Irish and African and slave heritage.
Throughout the past week there were activities including the annual St. Patrick’s Day lecture on Monday night, the Junior Calypso Competition organised by the Montserrat Union of Teachers on Friday night and the Freedom Run & Walk early Saturday morning.
Later on Saturday, there was a colourful street parade from the Montserrat
New Bishop Richards celebrates mass marking opening St. Patrick's Day week
Secondary School (MSS) to the Salem town centre led by the MSS Cadet Corps, while students from the Brades and Look Out primary schools teamed up as The Montserrat Cultural Connection Players to present A Fusion of African-Irish Heritage; Javon Tuitt played the slave Equiano and St. Augustine School represented early missionaries and plantation boys and girls.
The Department of Culture sponsored prizes for the parade.
A report from the GIU noted, “The most humourous costume was won by Normal Cassell as Mountain Man. Cassell made his musical contribution to the iron band with a cutlass and hoe. He won EC$200 and a weekend for two at the Grand View Bed & Breakfast.
The most creative portrayal of the Irish, African, Montserratian connection won The Montserrat Cultural Connection Players a check of EC$ 500.
Best portrayal of a national hero, was Equiano, who received $200 and one night at Tropical Mansions Suites for two.
St. Augustine School won EC$ 500 for the Best depiction of the 1700s.”
The afternoon went on with more entertainment well into the night, masquerades and lots of food and natural drinks available from more than 25 booth holders.
The junior calypso competition at:
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St. Patrick’s Day in the evening:
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The MSS Commonwealth Day:
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Come back later for Video presentations of these events
