Hundreds Turned Out to Clifford Park Despite Inclement Weather and Postponement

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Since 1973, thousands of Bahamians have gathered on Clifford Park to witness a grand display of culture and patriotism on the eve of July 10th, ushering in the start of Independence Day with the hoisting of the national flag.

This year, inclement weather forced officials to alter the plans, causing program postponements and delays. However, the bad weather did not dampen the Bahamian spirit. Although disappointed, locals did not let it diminish their sense of pride.

Vonya Williams
“I am here, I’m not going home. This is me all night.”

Hundreds of Bahamians had already gathered on Clifford Park after the announcement made on Thursday by the Independence Secretariat that adjustments would be made to the 52nd Independence celebrations due to inclement weather.

An official press statement was issued just after 7 p.m., minutes before the evening’s events were scheduled to begin. The ecumenical service was relocated to Bahamas Harvest, the cultural show was postponed, and the flag-raising ceremony was moved to Clifford Park, now set to commence at 11:20 p.m.

Leslia Miller-Brice – Chairman, Independence Secretariat
“I felt the pressure. I was nervous, but I realized, shake it off, let’s go, and we’re going to make it happen. And so that’s what we did. But it wasn’t just me, it’s an amazing team that has been put together from the 50th, and we just do what it is that we do.”

Despite the notice informing that the events would proceed as a televised-only broadcast with no in-person attendance, hundreds of patriotic Bahamians stood in the stands on Clifford Park to watch the flag being hoisted.

Leslia Miller-Brice – Chairman, Independence Secretariat
“Together we rise. We punched a button and that was it, all teams were activated and everybody from every different ministry, every different department, the entire armed forces, all of the media outlets, you came together and made it happen.”