National

Honk Your Horns – Independence Float Parade

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Vehicles decked out in Independence pride lined up to parade on a route starting at Arawak Cay, covering major city streets as the Independence celebrations shift into high gear.

Published

2 years ago

July 2, 2023

Jean Joseph

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Vehicles decked out in Independence pride lined up to parade on a route starting at Arawak Cay, covering major city streets as the Independence celebrations shift into high gear.

Despite the weather threat and the late start, the trucks pulled away from the station around 4:00 pm, and the city tour began.

Many companies and government agencies showed off their bahamian pride with vehicles decorated in flag colors and giveaways galore. Still, some residents expressed frustration about the exclusion of their smaller vehicles, although many would eventually creep into the line at various points throughout the route.

While many were just out for the sights, entrepreneurs like Estella Gibson took the opportunity to display products like her independence steering wheel covers and cash in on the independence frenzy.

Kayla Smith, Vice Consul in the Atlanta Bahamas Consulate Office also seized the opportunity to get away and celebrate the special milestone, which is also her mother’s birthday.

And Smith wasn’t the only one travelling just for the celebrations.

Tourists like Kansas City resident Mike Elliot and his family made it a point to make their second visit to the country count so they could enjoy the sights and sounds of the 50th Independence celebrations.

Mike says the excitement is similar to what’s happening in America for the 4th of July events.

Louisiana native Alondra Medrano said witnessing this historical moment and seeing Bahamians celebrating their Independence was a pleasure.

Kelsey Sanders, also from Louisiana, says she was impressed by the outpouring of Bahamian pride.

Charlene Sweeting, a teacher at the Marjorie Davis Institute for Special Education encourages people to interact more with the school, and she had this independence message.