WalkHoly calls for ‘family friendly’ costumes

Efforts are being made by the WalkHoly Kadooment band to bring a more family friendly focus to the Kadooment Day parade.

 

This is through the injection of the family friendly prize valued at Bds$2 000.

 

New initiatives were announced by band Leader, Kathy Weekes, during the launch of the WalkHoly band at the Praise Academy of Dance on Wednesday. She noted, “It is a good start to foster and bring back the once friendly family oriented day.”

 

“Persons can qualify to win the Bds$2 000 prize by exhibiting the most ‘family friendly costume’ and the most ‘family friendly behaviour’ during the Kadooment parade.”

 

Marcia Weekes, Founder of the WalkHoly band reiterated, “Being the first band on the road gives us the opportunity to show persons one can have fun and enjoy themselves in a family oriented and loving way.”

 

“We came up with the family friendly prize as a way to encourage persons away from skimpy costumes to costumes which are more family appropriate. The band which can demonstrate this will be eligible for the prize.”

 

Embracing the theme “Road to Freedom” the band will feature four major sections: Indigenous People, Slavery, Colonial Rule and Independence.

 

Lana Evans, a Committee member said, “This year our theme tells the story of freedom and commemorates the 200th anniversary of the Bussa rebellion. Something we want to bring out in our band this year. What the legacy means to us and how it has impacted our lives.”

 

Kathy Weekes, band leader highlighted, “Another of our initiatives for this year is the one day free of charge WalkHoly Kingdom Camp between the hours of 6am and 6pm on Kadooment Day. A 

reliable and child friendly alternative for persons with young children who wish to jump on Kadooment Day.”

 

“A safe and stimulating environment where children can come with a packed lunch and snack, be ministered to and enjoy arts, acting, dance and have an overall good time. A solution to a safe place for children.”

 

She noted, “It is important to book early because space is limited and we can only take between seventy to seventy-five children.”

 

Another initiative dear to the members of the WalkHoly band is their child protection campaign. A petition for a fine to be levied on any promoter or adult that conducts inappropriate behaviour with a child or children in a festival. The fines range between Bd$500 for an adult and Bd$1 000 for a promoter. 

 

An objective aimed at protecting children from adults who seek to expose them to adult-like activities such as abuse of alcohol, inappropriate music, sexual suggestive dancing at parties, festivals or any public gathering. 

 

Weekes stressed, “This petition is important because too often children fall prey to these behaviours and we want to protect our children.”