Minister Announces New May 24th Parade Route
Minister of Youth, Sports, Families & Community Development Glenn Blakeney announced today [Apr.18] that there will be a new route for the May 24th Bermuda Day Parade this year.
The Parade will begin at 1:30pm leaving Bernard Park and turning north on to Dutton Avenue. At the junction with Marsh Folly, the parade will make a left turn and continue along Cedar Avenue, where the dignitaries will be seated at a viewing point at the Leopard’s Club.
Minister Blakeney said, “The Bermuda Day Parade will take an exciting new route this year. All participants and float makers will be asked to gather at Bernard Park. The Parade will begin at 1:30 p.m. leaving from Bernard Park and turning north on to Dutton Avenue. At the junction with Marsh Folly, the parade will make a left turn and continue moving to the very popular vantage point along Cedar Avenue.”
“This year the Bermuda Day dignitaries will also be seated at a viewing point just off Cedar Avenue, located at the Leopard’s Club. For many years Cedar Avenue has been lauded as the “the people’s avenue”, where the crowds who gather there create a real festive Bermuda Day atmosphere and this year dignitaries together with the Ministry of Youth, Families, Sports and Community Development will be in the midst of that atmosphere among the enchanting revelry and celebration of our heritage.”
“The parade will continue along Cedar Avenue, where participants will make a left turn on to Church Street, traveling east before turning right at the court Street junction and continuing to Front Street where the parade participants will turn right proceeding west along Front Street before making a right turn on to Queen Street.”
“At the top of Queen Street, the parade turns right on to Church Street followed by a left turn on Dismont Drive. The dance participants will pass by the final viewing stand located at the City Hall Car Park and music trucks will go left on to Church Street and then disburse, while the Floats will park for public viewing in the area immediately along the stretch of Church Street known as Nellie’s Walk ( in Front of City Hall).”
“There will be a viewing stand and seating available at the City Hall Car Park to accommodate those who wish to be located at the final performance point of the Annual Bermuda Day Parade.”
“It should be further noted that Vendors will be stationed at key places throughout the City of Hamilton – including:
Front Street (at No.5 and No.1 Car Parks), City Hall Car Park and Victoria Park where there will be the added feature of musical entertainment.”
“The newly formed Entertainment Task force has been meeting during the past few months to organize and format the entire entertainment plan for the day, which will feature some of Bermuda’s best home-grown talent that will commence performances following the Marathon Derby and continue until the start of the Parade. Performances will then resume at the conclusion of the parade until about 8:00pm. All streets in the City will be re-opened around 8:00 p.m. at the latest,” concluded Minister Blakeney.
WHY does the plp ALWAYS have to mess with something that works?
IF it isn’t broke,don’t try to fix it…
Bermuda is Broke because they messed with things they had no experience of!!
exactly. Civil servants in that Dept always hated Bernard Park and now they are having their way as simple as that. The people made the parade and the Civil servants rarely came to Bernard Park and when they did felt intimidated. What a dumb move.
I was wondering the same damn thing. There always messing with sh%t!!!!!
I did not know the regular route was broken? What about all the vendors that usually set up at the park? This whole new route just doesn’t flow right to me. Imagine the gaps in the parade as it reaches front street and how tired the participants will be as they endure the heat when entering the city.
The PLP mantra is clearly if it works, break it and if it isn’t broken, break it. What were the problems or complaints about the old route and what part of the “new” route is so “exciting”? It basically follows the old, but in reverse. Maybe this is a resetting, or recalibrating, the dial (backwards) moment. Clearly change for changes sake, not as an improvement.
Exactly. another dumb move from a man who never set foot into Bernard Park at the end of the parade. Duumb.DUUUUUUUUUMMMMMMB.
This route is a crock of sh*t!!! Bermuda we should have seen this coming ever since they attempted to end the parade at National Stadium!!! It seems as if ppl are always trying to fix stuff that isn’t broken!!! Ever since I was a little girl my family has gathered to watch the paradeon Front Street as have other families! Ugh they make me not even want to go to this parade!
Stop complaining!!! Everyone cant be pleased, get over it and just enjoy the parade.
That wasn’t called for.
Next they will be moving cupmatch to the national stadium….there were talking about doing that.
For goodness sakes people, stop complaining about everything. They are not cancelling the event, just moving to another location. Let’s try and talk about something that really matters. Just waking up to enjoy the event is a blessing. Thank God for that privledge!!
I agree with Relax!
. .its looks like they dont want the young people to hang around Bernard’s park after the parade like they normally do, & causing trouble! But then again trouble happens anywhere now days.
– & change is sometimes good, i guess. :/ (we’ll see!).
I think the new route is better…..almost every year, Bernard Park is flooded or wet…(it IS a marsh)…with this new route, the main party and vendors can be on front street where the action is. Now people dont have to walk ALL the way to Bernard Park for a snowball, and at the same time, front street is a good location for a lot of people (just like at harbour nights.) I welcome the new route change.
and also, it is easier to control the crowd, so there will hopefully be less violence compared to Bernard Park.
Glad someone is talking some sense. In this day and age of gun violence, it would be better to have that many people in areas that can be controlled and monitored. The city is just better equipped.
What violence on Benard Park?? Whenever there was viloence the Police was always there to stop it (even if it was small). GPoint is gun violence happens anywhere and at anytime on this island! No matter where an event is held. So far, no gun play has been at Benard Park in all its years hosting the 24th of May Parade. But there was an incident along Queens and Church Street that saw a young man jailed for having a gun!!
I wasn’t speaking about gun violence in particular..I was talking about the little brawls among the younger people. Although the police were usually there to break it up, it is easier for the police to control on Front Street compared to Bernard Park. Although there hasn’t been any gun play at Bernard Park (Yet!), we have to be proactive rather than reactive. And if that means moving the end of the parade to a more secure location, I’m all for it.
Agreed!
I usually travel by Bus …. do we know the bus Route for this day? hmmm
what a stupid idea great job government u f’ed up again!!!
I like this new route! Only messed up part is going over cedar avenue hill to church street! Lawd have mercy! The parade end to quickly on front street with the old route! (Exciting area) and where it end this year is safer! When you have so much space like bernards park(to end the parade) more trouble goes on! *right in the turf of Parkside, Front Line, 42, Middle Town! @b*tchy complainers! Don’t complain about the route if your arses ain’t in the parade! Ya’ll gonna be sitting on your a$$e$ while we(participates) are entertaining you all!
GREAT MOVE Bermuda
I do agree is it a major atmosphere change. But honest Bermuda Day is ABOUT PEOPLE, The people make the atmosphere regardless.
I think it would be great! I am particularly pleased with this statement” For many years Cedar Avenue has been lauded as the “the people’s avenue”, This is SO TRUE thanks to the one who remembered this.
I also think that it would be good for all types of weather situations, unlike when the parade ends at a sometimes flood park. I am sure this move was also made for the security of all and I think that if we can find ways to care about the people safety then why not. Things are already out of Control.
BERMUDA I AM PRAYING FOR A WONDERFUL DAY FOR ALL
People find any reason to complain. At least there’s gonna be a parade!!!If I remember correctly,the parade was cancelled many years ago,when it was called the Easter Parade and things weren’t as serious as they are now.
Lol lol lol this was to mess with all you people that clam side walks lol now you have to go clam a new spot lol lol lol UM been here for donkey yearrrrs poppa move on lol lol
I think changing the route is a good idea, for the last couple of years there have been fights in Bernard Park. I believe the minister’s concern was safety, there is cctv in hamilton, also many of the vendors were un-easy about the park. So if people want to blame someone about the change, start blamming these thugs running around Bermuda killing people just for the fun of it.
This is the STUPIDIST thing i have ever heard of….
Are they banning Kites on Good Friday. What about the Easter Bunny and easter egg hunts….and they should change the route of the Marathon too, and Fish Cakes and Hut Crawz Bunz……….
Like watching the Young and the Restless. Bitch and moan about everything……I need a rum…….
They aren’t banning anything, just changing the route, what’s the problem? Cmon why make an excuse to drink? Relax!!
I don’t know why you all are complaining. The number of times they have changed the route…people still go out and enjoy themselves. Get over it…what’s done is done.
its almost the same route but backwards and going up queen street. you still get all the same spots plus the new one next to kfc. so whats the big deal
No big deal at all…this is my point! But if it was changing a whole lot ppl would still go out and have a good time.
WELL I’M HAPPY!!! I can see everyone while they’re still fresh, collect my son and get out of Hamilton … FAST!!
Bermudians are never satisfied!!! complain about everything! just be greatful that there is still a parade you can attend, whether the route is changed or not, and if I am correct, i believe that City Hall has camera’s??? That way if any fights pop off, hopefully the little rats be caught on camera!!!! #Getoverit, #simpleasthat
I honestly feel people just like to complain. Does it matter the route? Just go, find a spot, enjoy the parade and the festivities and have a great holiday.
this is not the first time the route has been modified or changed, and it never negatively affects the experience.
why does everything have to be political? why can’t a decision just be a decision?
I think the issue is more how they have gone about changing it. It sounds like they have not consulted with all of the people involved, and they have failed to explain their reasoning well, so this just allows for speculation and conjecture. They need to communicate.
who did they have to consult with??
The participants? Some of which invest a lot of time and money to make it what it is. Some have participated for decades, so would have a lot of years of experience to impart. PLP = Government of the People right?
They only changed the route…which has been done before…i still dont understand why they should have to consult the participants. You are just complaining for complaining’s sake.
And you are complaining about me complaining…. welcome to the complaining club then. Your lack of understanding will not nullify my concerns.
Todd, consider your concerns are null and void. Enjoy your day off. Or will you go to work because you don’t agree with the change.
I am stunned because you make no sense.
I plan to enjoy the parade no matter what and am just glad they havent cancelled Bermuda Day altogether…because with the way things are going that could have very well been an option my people.
WHO CARES ABOUT THE ROUTE A CHANGE IS GOOD. IT’S A HOLIDAY PEOPLE A DAY FROM WORK SO ENJOY IT. KFC YOU BETTER HAVE ENOUGH CHICKEN FOR THE PEOPLE.
who cares about the change of route they put it to end at city hall because that way they can get everyone out of town by sun down. i could care less because Bermuda day is not the way it used to be anyway, the parade is boring as hell and they dont even let the participates dance and do their routines. The hell with the parade this year i would rather just go see the runners and go back home and have a chill day.
I honestly don’t get why Bermudians must complain about every damn thing than turn it into a political battle. The parade route is changed if you don’t like the new route stay home it’s as simple as that. If Macy’s wanted to change the route of their parade do you think they are going to ask every single entry if it’s ok with them first?? No I hardly think so. Bernard Park floods terribly and last year it was gross. No matter what I’m going to enjoy this day off and I can’t wait to sit off have a few drinks and enjoy my Bermuda day.
The only problem i see is people and their spots….. all the front street people will be moving to cedar ave… wonder hows thats going to work… lol
well no one owns a spot, and the parade itself will still go along front street.
What Parade?? after May 21st we will not around anyway!
What parade? after May 21st we will not be around anyway.
I have participated in the parade for years. I think the new route a good idea. The whole concept is to have a party atmosphere in the city for Bermuda Day, instead of being restricted to Bernards Park.This could be a positive change for Bermuda and may even help with our tourism. We need to stop being so NARROW minded and embrace change! No they aren’t cancelling the holiday, they are trying to make it more exciting. Lord knows we need change around here with all the grief and drama. And for those who are annoyed with PLP my advice to you is to speak up. We all need to speak up and stand together united! We need to stop kissing these politicians butts and let them know they aint nothing without us! Anyway, let’s look at the positive that may come because the route has been changed. And might I remind some that the parade orginally ended at the stadium not Bernards Park! Let’s all enjoy the day and pray that its goes on smoothly without any violence or grief! We should all be thankful! Enjoy BDA! I know I will
This is GOOD NEWS now we can stay in the city area!!!It is safer and cleaner than Bernard Park.
I’m gonna be outta here – ain’t no party like the one that wud come thru cedar ave.
Now these changes have broken my spirit. This parade is boring and needs more of a carnival
Atmosphere. The old timers need to move aside. Anyway NYC here I come
Will this change affect the later finishing runners/walkers? Some are just finishing around 12:00 – 1pm.
So you complain about the change in the parade route…Lets see…I figure that with the increase of violence in Bermuda over the past few years, they actually have come up with a good idea. During the parade, everyone sits at THEIR SPOTS’ enjoying the Parade. When the last of the parade passes, pple tend to find their way to The Park… RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS WAR ZONE! Gone are the days when we had live bands, steel pans, dancers in (respectable)costumes playing on floats. Gone are the days were we felt safe to be hanging aroung Bernards Park. watching the MAIN EVENT – Fashion show of all the youth parading around in their new gear. Gone are the days where neighbors exposed the wrong that youth X was doing. The Island people are afraid….afraid of change…afraid of the youth…afraid of what’s going to happen next. Can’t you see….NOTHING WILL CHANGE IF ‘WE’ DONT CHANGE IT! Having the end of the parade at City Hall simply PREVENTS any outbreak of nonsense. Not saying things wont happen, but it can be more secured, more controlled, simply put…IF ANYTHING DOES BREAK OUT, they have many cameras in the area to PROVE who, what where and when. We need to CHANGE this OUTBREAK OF SILENCE. we need to CHANGE the way we do things to PREVENT! Soooooo lets just accept this CHANGE as a tiny little step towards bigger, positive CHANGE! Dont you all like purchasing NEW cell phones when they come out with better ones…….yup!!! soooooo think of it as a new cell phone. Upgraded, with more features!!!