PHILIPSBURG--The Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport announced the official programme for this year’s St. Maarten Day festivities. The theme this year is “#SXMSTRONG – Rebuilding Our Nation,” which best reflects the strength and resilience the people of St. Maarten have shown in these trying times.
The Ministry apologizes for the delay in presenting this programme, but due to the passing of monster Hurricane Irma, the organizing team had to endure many constraints on the project, the Ministry stated on Tuesday.
“Despite many setbacks and adjustments, the Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport is happy and proud to present the official programme and promises that there is something on the schedule for every single person to enjoy,” it was said.
The day starts out Saturday, November 11, with the traditional ecumenical service from 8:00am to 10:00am at the new Government Administration Building.
From 12:00pm to 5:00pm, there is a Cultural Street Fair on Soualiga Boulevard in front of the Government Building where visitors can purchase cultural items such as arts and crafts, clothing, sweet treats and more.
The St. Maarten Day stage and performances will take place in the APS parking lot, which is adjacent to the Government Administration Building. The parking lot will be transformed into a St. Maarten Day Village where vendors will be selling food and beverages from 12:00pm until the end of the festivities at midnight.
The stage will be opened at 12:00pm with an “oldies but goodies” one-hour tribute to seniors during which artistes will be playing songs that will take the seniors on a trip down memory lane.
At 1:00pm, the youth will take over the stage and showcase their talents with performances by Tamilia Chance, National Institute of Arts (NIA) and the TelCell Breakthrough winners.
There will also be a Kiddies Corner from 12:00pm to 5:00pm with bouncing castles, Kiddies’ Stage, performances and cultural games for children of all ages.
For the sport fanatics, there will be national football and basketball games happening at Melford Hazel Sports Centre from 1:00pm to 7:00pm.
The SXM Strong Cultural Parade will begin at 2:00pm at the parking lot and make its way around Philipsburg following a very similar route to the Labour Day Parade during Carnival.
The Ministry is teaming up with seasoned parade organiser Urmain Dormoy for the organization of the Cultural Parade.
While the Parade is making its way through town, deejays will be holding down the stage from 2:00pm to 5:00pm to entertain all patrons who wish to come and have lunch in the parking lot.
At 5:00pm, the Parade makes its way back to the parking lot and will perform a one-hour cultural manifestation on stage.
At 6:00pm, the stage will be filled with tributes to local cultural icon Neville York. From 7:00pm to 9:30pm, an all-star ensemble will take the stage performing hits after hits. This ensemble comprises local musical legends with a twist of up-and-coming local artistes who are making their mark in the entertainment industry.
Artistes such as Percy Rankin, Melvin Hodge, King Rumer, King James and more will be performing. Following the all-star ensemble, comes the “Revenge of the Bands” with Control Band, Strictly Music Band led by Sisco Richardson, Big Bad XP Band and 4M Band, which will have everyone dancing until midnight.
