Good morning, and happy Heritage Month!

Thank you all for joining me today as I take this opportunity to share my excitement as we look forward to Bermuda Day on Friday. This year, we are embracing the theme, “Culture Equals Energy.” And during the past several weeks, I’ve had a chance to see the energy and enthusiasm as the community prepares for the Bermuda Day Heritage Parade.

It is an electrifying time of year as people are busily putting the final touches on the colourful and creative floats, dance routines, and Gombey rehearsals in this final week before the parade. People have marked their spots, and the tape is down! This year is being dubbed “the year of the majorettes”, thanks to thespectacular return of the Hamilton Parish Hot Peppers, Dynamic City Rockettes, and the Ex-Artillery Majorettes. It is encouraging to see our traditions reinvigorated after several years to make this possible again.

We can also celebrate the return of the PHC Majorettes & Drum Corps whose participation has remained steadfast in the majorette tradition. Meanwhile, the St. George's Dancerettes have also been a staple group bringing their unique fusion of traditional marching with new school dance styles to create energetic performances.

This Bermuda Day, we also take the opportunity to acknowledge those we honour as grand marshals, who have been beacons of inspiration in our community:

• Dennie O'Connor, for Transforming Bermuda's Tourism Landscape
• Lizz Pimentel, for Inspiring the Local Dance Community;

• Dr. Kyjuan Brown, for Empowering Bermuda Through Healthcare and Community Service;
• Brian Wellman, for Breaking Records and Inspiring Generations; and
• Posthumously Celebrating A Trailblazer: Judith Simons, for her Impact on Bermuda and Beyond

These are some of the Bermudians who chose to devote their energy to being trailblazers and role models in our community. We are grateful for their contributions and for inspiring the generations to come.

The next generation is well-represented in this year’s parade, and we are very pleased with school participation entries this year which include CedarBridge Academy, East End Primary, St. David’s Primary, St. George’s Prep, Prospect Preschool, an entry by the Elliot Alumni Association, and a steel pan band from Bermuda Institute.

We’re happy as well to announce the return of Association of Filipinos in Bermuda to the parade – they’re back after a 15 year hiatus, and their entry will celebrate floral traditions.

This year, spectators will also be able to enjoy eight gombey troupes! This is the first time in the Bermuda Day parade for SMS Village Gombey Troupe, Phoenix Gombeys and Vibe Tribe Gombey Troupe. And of course the crowds will enjoy the stalwarts: Places Gombeys, Gombey Warriors, H&H Gombeys, Gombey Evolution, and Warwick Gombeys.

It is thanks to the generous donations of the community that bands, groups, and floats can take part in the parade through the Bermuda Day fund. For the second year in a row, members of the public are encouraged to give back to participants through the fund.

You may recall the fund is made possible through a partnership with the Bermuda Foundation which offers up to $2,500 towards expenses for parade entrants. You can donate by visiting www.GiveBermuda.org. Donations are accepted into the Bermuda Day Fund year-round. We would also like to thank the Brookfield Developers for their community spirit, in underwriting the significant costs of pushing back the construction barriers on Front Street.

Now let me address questions on the parade route. It is important to note that the parade route has not been changed. The event will begin at 1:30 pm on

Front Street in front of the Point House near Albuoy’s Point and continue along Front Street. The parade then turns left onto Court Street, takes a left onto Church Street, continues right along Cedar Avenue, and ends at the Marsh Folly Road/Dutton Avenue junction.

I also look forward to welcoming our esteemed guests from our regional and close cultural neighbours in the Caribbean. The Hon. Samal Duggins, Minister of the Creative Economy, Entertainment and the Arts of St. Kitts and Nevis; and Mr. Kenneth Bryan, Minister of Tourism and Ports of the Cayman Islands and Chair of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation, will be attending Bermuda Day events to experience our heritage in a special cultural exchange.

Spectators can enjoy refreshments from our local vendors, which are available on sale in the Number five car park near the BTA Visitor’s Centre on Front Street across from the Birdcage. This year, the Department of Culture is sponsoring a FREE fun castle for families in the same area.