MWI Staff and Clients Celebrate 400 Years of History

It’s Reflection Time- 1609 to 2009

The 18th Annual Pre-Heritage Day Parade will kick off at 6:30pm on Thursday, May 14 at the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute (MWI). Approximately 30 clients from MWI’s Learning Disability Programme, as well as clients from community homes, will take part in the parade, dressing up in costumes that reflect Bermuda’s 400-year history.

The event, which draws large crowds and is well-supported by the community, was originally created to provide an alternative for clients at MWI who were not able to attend the Bermuda Day festivities. Over the years, it has grown in popularity and has now become an event in its own right.

“Our parade promises to be an evening of family fun with activities, entertainment, music and food,” says Juliette Basden, Activities Coordinator for the Learning Disability Programme and organizer of the annual event. “No one will be disappointed with this year’s lively costumes and colourful floats.”

Preparations for the Pre-Heritage Day Parade have created a lot of excitement at MWI and a great deal of work goes into making the evening a lively and festive. “This is a wonderful opportunity for our clients to express their creativity and celebrate the approaching Heritage Day with the public,” said Ms. Basden.

This year’s theme, It’s Reflection Time- 1609 to 2009, depicts Bermuda’s 400-year history, with float names reflecting how Bermuda has changed over the centuries:
• 1230 Ride the Gospel Train with Kelly Zuill
• Talbot Brothers All-Local Entertainment in the Hotels
• Pound, Pence, Shilling- More Money, More Problems
• From the Black & White Screen to the Flat Screen
• Pay Phone Talking to Cell Texting
• Shop til You Drop- Bring Me Something Back!
• From the Cottage to the Condo

Adding to the entertainment will be various majorettes and drum core groups, Gombey’s and the Bermuda Island Pipe Band. There will also be face painting for children from Sniggles and refreshments from New African Food, Lickety Split Ice Cream and Big Momma’s Food Stall.

The parade begins at the parking lot for Turning Point and Learning Disability, off Devon Springs Rd. Parking will be available at the Elliott School parking lot, The Barn and the Recycling Plant. People wishing to attend are advised that Devon Springs Rd. will be closed at 6:15pm for the parade’s start at 6.30pm.

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