215 years after the Battle of St. George's Caye, and 115 years after the event was first commemorated - the tradition of the Tenth continues. It may not be as robust as it was thirty years ago, but it's still a key part of the September Celebration Season. Channel 7 had live coverage of the ceremonial and social events to mark the tenth yesterday - and here's how they went�.
Jules Vasquez
The tenth day at Memorial Park started with the arrival of dignitaries including the leader of the opposition, the Chief Justice, the Prime Minister and The Governor General.
From there commenced the speeches, which played on the well turned theme of the Tenth's validity both as history and celebration:
Bernard Q. Pitts, Jr. - Ag. Deputy Mayor
"Some say too that the Battle of St. George's Caye is a 215 years old story - that is with mixed with fiction, for that I say - fiction quickly evaporates when confronted by the facts and for this reason the events of the Battle of St. George's Caye should be recounted proudly to future generations as it is the beacon of true Belizean liberation."
Hon. Manuel Heredia - Chairman, September Celebration Committee
"The victory of the Baymen signals a decisive end of the effort of the Spanish to settle this territory. It also marks a turning point in our history and in motion that would lead to our independence."
After this, the Parade wound through the city. Passing our vantage point in 15 minutes, it was one of the shortest we can recall, and was made memorable by a jump up notable mostly for the characters and the spirit of the street dance upon which we suspect the member for Belize Rural Central may still look disapprovingly.
But on this day, all was permitted even for tourists.
Tenth Tradition Still In Cultural DNA
And while this year's tenth parade has to be recorded as a disappointment, don't take the relatively poor turnout to signal that the event has lost its meaning. More than a century after Simon Lamb fought to have the Tenth memorialized, the roots of the tradition still go deep into Belize's Cultural DNA. Daniel Ortiz spoke to some of the Tenth traditionalists who were cueing up for the March:�
Hon. Michael Finnegan - Parade Participant
"I do this every year because of the richness of the people who came before and I will continue to do it until I can't do it anymore."
Hon. Patrick Faber - Parade Participant
"About 1998 or so when I came back from the University, I made it my business, it's a tradition for me, to participate in this parade on an annual basis."
Hon. Wilfred Elrington - Member, Imperial Band
"The tenth is very important because it is the first occasion when the people of Belize, settlement of Belize actually had to find to defend this country and everything in my view begins with the tenth of September."
Bernard Q. Pitts, Jr. - Ag. Deputy Mayor
"It's not about me being a counsilor because really and trule I'm a Belizean, it's a part of our heritage and it's the right thing for us to do - we should march on the 10th of September."
Hon. Anthony 'Boots' Martinez
"This is our National holiday and this was even before independence and so it is very important for us to celebrate - at least I'm 50years old and as I can recall there's only one year I missed this even."
Daniel Ortiz
"Do you still see the young people participating as they should?"
Hon. Anthony 'Boots' Martinez
"Well the main thing is for us to be patriotic - I think you see more and more people joining in in these celebrations."
Daniel Ortiz
"How long have you been participating in the parade?"
Martha Davis - Parade Participant
"All my life, from the time I was a creature."
Daniel Ortiz
"How have you seen it change over the years?"
Martha Davis
"Tremendously - I went to the states for 8 years and I came back and I'm happy. In the olden days, Belize people used to support it more but it's still a good parade."
Eric Neal - Flag Bearer
"It's an honor to be leading the parade, It's official September - it's our heritage man."
Theola Perto - Grand Master, Citizen's Parade
"It's a great honor bestowed on me."
Gerine Avila - Queen of the Bay, 2013
"This is my first event as the Queen of the Bay."
Daniel Ortiz
"What is your impression of the celebration so far?"
Gerine Avila -
"I'm excited, I have to say thanks for all the support and I feel great about it and first time I've experienced such a big parade."
Daniel Ortiz
"Do the member of the BDF band hold this in great honor?"
Kevin Camble - Band Master, BDF Band
"Well, indeed a lot of sacrifice. All of the males that you're seeing right there, has their own jobs so of course none of them are full time, so it's they and their families make a lot of sacrifices around this time because they don't get to be on the sidelines, they have to work."
Joyce Flowers - Ms. YWCA 2008/2009
"I think it's dropping off, when I was a little girl, some people don't really bother about the tenth anymore."
Daniel Ortiz
"Tell us about your impressions of this celebration - how has it grown or decreased since?"
Catherine Flowerrs - Ms.YWCA, 2004/2005
"Decreased since years ago, I wanted to come back because the children are growing up and we wanted to show them what the 10th is all about."
Eloisa Hassan - Ms. YWCS
"Today we celebrate our independence, out nationhood - I love this day especially."
Daniel Ortiz
"Have you seen it increased of decreased over the years that you participated?"
Eloisa Hassan
"I've seen it decreased a little bit, people have lost some of the patriotism spirit."
Hon. Wilfred Elrington
"It fluctuates, but you have to keep on going that's why we're out here every tenth and 21st to instill in our people about patriotism."
Myrna Manzanares - Parade participant the Battle of St. George's
"It is so important because this is a part of our heritage. The younger children don't know what is going on - all they want to hear is their own music and they're not listening to the history of St. George's Caye, they don't know the history of Flower's bank - nobody tells them."
Hon. Patrick Faber
"But it's up to us to tell them and to know the significance of the battle - it is up to parents and teachers to make sure that the instruction is happening in their classrooms. For instance my two boys are right behind me in the truck with Mr. Finnegan and last year they walked the entire route of the parade and this year they intend to go the whole way as well. I try as best as I can to instill in them the significance of our national days and make them a part of the celebration."
On Saturday, there will be more from the September Celebrations when tens of thousands make their way to the City for both Carnival and the Chamber's Expo 2013. Channel 7 will there to provide you with live coverage of both.
Channel 7
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