Children soak up freedom vibes

Story, pictures and video by Stacey N. Russell

Fantastic “vibes”, a sense of being “free”.

That is how nine-year-old Jaysha Blackett described the children’s party that Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley and Speaker of the House of Assembly, Arthur Holder jointly hosted on Saturday afternoon at the National Botanical Gardens, Waterford in St. Michael. 

This Eden Lodge Primary School pupil was spot on, as hundreds of children accompanied by adults went early and stayed late. 

The planned three-hour event carried on into the night, lasting at least five hours.

It was organised to toast the youngsters of Ms. Mottley’s constituency, St. Michael North East and those of St. Michael Central, the constituency that Mr. Holder represents, but all were welcomed. 

Pulsating music, jumping and climbing tents, face painting, clowning around – literally, with Hopey De Clown and his balloon tricks – horseback riding, and obstacle courses on the expansive grounds helped to create a haven of unfettered frolic. 

Plus, food, drinks and snacks kept everyone fed and watered at the incident-free celebration of being able to be outdoors and mingle after years of being restricted to online schooling and other social restraints brought on by COVID-19 pandemic. 

As much as it was a children’s party, adults – parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, aunties, uncles – absorbed the joy and treats and entertainment as much as the youths. 

They included centenarian, Beryl Bridgeman, the woman who nominated Mr. Holder to run for public office in St. Michael Central. 

When asked after nightfall whether she was not out too late, Ms. Bridgeman, who celebrated her 100th on December 27, 2022, wittingly responded, “What time is late?” in between laughter. 

Many adults, either shy or busy keeping a watchful eye on the children as they played, preferred not to express their delight on camera, but Jaysha and her 10-year-old Eden Lodge Primary friends, Kazaria Lewis and Saryah Webster boldly spoke with CBC News. 

They reported enjoying the “amazements, jumping tents, balloons and food”.

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Stacey N. Russell

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