The Celtic Festival Barbados Parade

 The Celtic Festival Barbados flyer dropped into my Inbox a few weeks ago and I made a note to add the parade to my jaunt day activities yesterday.....so glad I did.
My love for music and learning all about different cultures was satisfied in one go.
The staging point for the parade was the car park of the General Post Office in the city.
When I arrived I immediately felt the pulse of excitement generated by the spectators on hand.
The parade route was from the post office through the city via Broad Street and finishing up at National Heroes Square.

 Waiting patiently to begin the parade.

It was just before the 10am start and it was already hot hot hot.......the massed pipe band members had their water bottles at the ready.

 The Barbados Defence Force Band members were also waiting patiently.

 The Royal Barbados Police Force Band members were also waiting patiently.

 Waiting......

 Waiting......

 Waiting..........

 Waiting.............

  ...until finally the official welcome.

Lieutenant Colonel Glyne Grannum, Chief of Staff of the Barbados Defence Force giving the welcome opening remarks.
I'm not sure why he wasn't in his official uniform for the ceremony.

 The Royal Barbados Police Band led the procession.

They quickly moved off.....

 ........followed by the Barbados Defence Force Band....

.......which followed closely behind.....

 ....with a quick step to catch up to the Police Band.

 Then it was the turn of the massed pipes band...

 ....who were on the move in a jiffy......

 ....and then it was hard to catch up with those fast-moving bagpipers who caught me off guard with their speedy footsteps.

 A video that captures the atmosphere.

It was kinda hard to jostle other "photographers" since everyone has cell phone cameras these days and each one of them is a photographer at heart.

 Checking the online registration I learned that this massed pipes band gracing our shores was made up of members from Scotland, Ireland, Australia, USA, France, South Africa, Canada, Switzerland and Sweden.
I loved the idea of being a member of a worldwide group such as this and meeting up with other members to visit countries worldwide to share such great music.

 Loved seeing the ladies doing their thing too.

 Parade advancing via Lower Broad Street.

A music rest between numbers.

Coming up to Nelson statue at the top of Broad Street.

 Arrival at National Heroes Square - Cenotaph and the Fountain in the background.

National Heroes Square - Parliament Buildings in the background

 Welcoming remarks by the Massed Pipes band leader.

 Various kilts all depicting different areas.

 Tons of water was on hand.

 It was lovely to hear the fusion of bagpipes and the other instruments.

All the spectators were enjoying themselves...tapping their feet and clapping along.

 

 The clock on the Parliament Building tower struck 10.30am bringing the event to an end.

 With that the crowd took the opportunity to mingle and take photos with the band members.

 Lots of questions were asked and answered.

 A needed water break.

Soon it was time to head off to their next performance.

"The Barbados Celtic Festival celebrates the links between Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Nova Scotia and the Gallic regions in Europe."


Pipefest - The Home of Massed Pipe Bands website here.
Pipefest Itinerary here.
Facebook link here.