Hundreds attend Coronation Party fit for a King on Cardinall Avenue

By Christopher Tobutt 

Cayman celebrated the King’s Coronation in style, with a special family focussed giant sized coronation party on Cardinall Avenue, on Monday 8 May. Hundreds turned up to join in the fun, and there were bands playing, people swaying, singers singing, face painting, balloon animals, lots of Cayman style food, crowns, and lots more besides. It was a party fit for a King.

The Cayman Folk Singers opened the event, and everyone loved their joyful renditions of Caymanian favorites, including. Come Back Home, Cayman Moon, and Munzie Boat in the Sound. “I wanted to be here and and sing today because this is a special occasion. we have a king now, so this is a special occasion we will never live to see again,”said Wardley Connolly, one of the singers.

Walking down the beautiful newly pedestrianized Cardinal Avenue towards Hog Stye Bay, it was gorgeous to see the sun shinng through hundreds of red and blue balloons, held by beaming children. Lots of the children had special crowns, all made from balloons too, and it was fun to see.

Food was in plentiful supply, and people were lining up for platefuls of fish and fritters, Cayman style beef, and rice n beans. Willie’s Fresh Fruits and Juices were there, with all kinds of mouthwatering homemade goodies, including Mango juice and gauva juice, and curried mango snacks.

Our Little Miss beauty Pageant was well represented, adding a touch of regal splendour with the crowns on all the young princesses there, waving flags and giving out balloons. There was plenty for children to do, from doing art and craft projects on tables (mostly making glittery crowns) and also playing traditional Caymanian games like dominoes on little tables. Oh and did i mention dancing? now, here’s the funny thing about that. It was mostly the older folks showing the younger ones how to do it, as they danced to the reggae favorites blasing out from a succession of bands who appeared during the evening. The first one to come onstage is surely one of Cayman’s best and most popular, the Impulse Band.

The event was being hosted by Celebrate Cayman, the Ministry of Youth, Sports, Culture and Heritage, and the George Town Revitalisation Initiative.

“The ascension of a new monarch is a historic event and the Cayman Islands as a United Kingdom Overseas Territory will honor His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty the Queen Consort in a way that is true to our country’s culture,”Celebrate Cayman Chairman Alfonso Wright stated.

“Fellowship, food as well as music, and entertainment will be available for all to enjoy, along with a special fireworks display. It will be a wonderful opportunity for families to spend time together as we mark this momentous occasion,” he added