Parade units rehearse ahead of Independence 43

BASSETERRE — Members of the St. Kitts and Nevis Defence Force, police and cadet and scout units turned out at Warner Park Cricket Stadium on Wednesday for a rehearsal of the Independence Ceremonial Parade, as the country counts down to its 43rd anniversary of Independence.

The rehearsal brought together armed forces expected to march in this year’s parade, which takes place Sept. 19 at 6 p.m., continuing the evening start time introduced in recent years to broaden attendance and give the event a more festival-like atmosphere while keeping its formal, uniformed character.

The Sept. 19 parade will be the centerpiece of Independence Day, marking 43 years since St. Kitts and Nevis gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1983. It typically features an inspection of the troops by the Governor-General and the Prime Minister, followed by a march-past of Defence Force units, police and other security services, and cadet and scout contingents, accompanied by marching bands and cultural displays.

Wednesday’s rehearsal is among the final preparations before the main event, which is expected to draw crowds to Warner Park in Basseterre, with a parallel ceremony and parade held in Charlestown, Nevis. The parade caps a season of independence activities that has run for weeks, and this year’s celebrations carry the theme “One People, One Vision, Endless Possibility.”

Following the ceremonial parade, festivities traditionally continue with a Toast to the Nation and other official programming, before residents move on to community events and evening celebrations marking the holiday.