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Official Events for September Celebrations Announced
The Executive Committee of the September Celebrations is proud to announce the schedule of national official events for this year’s September celebrations.
Four main events comprise the national official calendar; these are the Official Opening of the September Celebrations, the Official Ceremony marking the 211th Anniversary of the Battle of St. George’s Caye, the Official Flag Raising Ceremony, and the Official Ceremony marking Belize’s 28th Independence Day. Traditionally, these events have always been held in Belize City. However, beginning this year these national events will be held in three different locations.
For the first time this year the Official Opening of the September Celebrations, slated for the 1st September 2009, will take place on St. George’s Caye. St. George’s Caye, where the battle so named was fought and won on the 10th September 1798 by those who chose to stay and fight rather than abandon the settlement will be declared a national historical site on that day as well. The ceremony which gets underway at 2:00 p.m. will feature the Chairman of the September Celebrations Committee, Hon. Manuel Heredia, Jr. who will officially proclaim the September Celebrations open and issue the declaration.
The official ceremony marking the 211th Anniversary of the Battle of St. George’s Caye will be held at Memorial Park in Belize City on the 10th Day of September beginning at 8:15 a.m. The ceremony will be followed immediately by the Citizens Parade through the principal streets of Belize City that ends at the Yarborough Green.
The Official Flag Raising Ceremony on the night of the 20th September will also be held at Memorial Park in Belize City. As per usual the evening will begin with cultural presentations between 9:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. The official segment of the programme which begins approximately 11:25 pm will feature the usual items and culminate at midnight with the raising of the flag and fireworks. The fireworks this year are donated by the Embassy of Taiwan in recognition of the 20 year relationship with Belize.
The Official Independence Day Ceremony and Uniform Parade will for the first time take place in the Capital of Belize, Belmopan. On one or two occasions in the past 28 years the Ceremony was held in Belmopan and the Parade in Belize City. However, this year, and what is expected to become the tradition for subsequent years, both activities will take place in the Capital City, Belmopan.
It is important to note that the new format of the official events for Belize’s September Celebrations has been approved and ratified by the Cabinet.
As is the case with all other municipalities, Belize City will also have its 21st day official ceremony and parade under the auspices of the Belize City Council.
For further information please feel free to call Ms. Diane Haylock, alternate Chair of the September Celebrations Committee at 227-0518 or email septembercelebrationsbze@yahoo.com.
