Triple the fun at the National Museum

By Lindsey Turnbull

Having been called off due to bad weather, the Platinum Jubilee Looky Ya! event was finally able to go ahead last Saturday at the Cayman Islands National Museum at Goring Avenue in George Town. The celebrations combined with the unveiling of the new Annie Huldah Bodden OBE animatronic at the Museum, and, as mango season is officially upon us, the mighty mango so loved by Cayman residents was also celebrated.

The event, put on by the National Museum in partnership with the Ministry for Youth, Sports, Culture & Heritage, had loads of great food and entertainment for all the family to enjoy, including a mango eating and peeling competition, stalls selling artisanal goods, local food, sweet treats and drinks with performances by the UCCI’s Pandemix Steelpan, Cayman Islands Folk Singers and the UCCI Dancers.

At the same time, attendees were offered free admission to the National Museum which meant they were able to see its newest attraction, the recently unveiled Miss Annie Huldah Bodden animatronic.

Museum Director Dr Peggy Leshikar-Denton said visitors could also view a special satellite exhibition at the Old George Town Library honouring the 70th year of the Queen’s ascension to the throne, with a courtesy shuttle having been arranged to transport visitors to the satellite display, and which features a portraiture study of the Princess of York’s early life, as well as commemorative cups and other rarely seen artefacts from the National Collection.

At the opening of the event, Teresa Echenique-Bowen, Chief Officer, Ministry of Youth, Sports, Culture & Heritage, said: “Today is intended to be another fabulous event that the Museum is hosting. We always look to these events because it is a way for us to continue with our culture, with our traditions and to truly enjoy not only the food but arts and all the other entertainment.”

Ms Echenique said Minister Bernie Bush was unable to attend due to illness and was in particular upset at not being able to sample the mangos that were on sale at the event.