A festive community gathering at Loyal Hill, which originated during lockdown for the Covid-19 pandemic, attracted a healthy turnout as people paid tribute to the island’s heritage yesterday.

Place’s Gombeys led early Bermuda Day celebrations in the Devonshire neighbourhood, as majorette dancers and members of the Wolves Football Club, backed by live music, held a parade along the roadway in the sixth annual edition of the event.

Diallo Rabain, the Minister of the Cabinet Office and Digital Innovation, declared the parade open as homage was paid to this year’s Mr and Ms Loyal Hill, Delroy O’Brien and Joan Elizabeth Davis.

The two residents were honoured for their contributions to their community to resounding applause from attendees.

Members of the Bermuda Special Olympics team joined the parade and the Ultimate Star Twirlers, Dancers and Drum Corps followed with high-energy dance routines as the crowd followed the beat of the drums.

A Christian dance group then joined the route and as overcast conditions threatened, Place’s Gombeys descended on Loyal Hill Road to cheers from supporters.

Dennis O’Brien, a spokesman for the event, said it started out during the pandemic when the annual Bermuda Day Parade was put on hold during the lockdown.

He told The Royal Gazette: “Loyal Hill has always been a close-knit community and this is just another event to bring us together.”

The neighbourhood typically hosts a Good Friday fun day and race as well as a J’Ouvert party in June.

Mr O’Brien added: “We host anything that can bring the community together and to bring about a sense of camaraderie and love.

“Especially in a time like today when families and communities are splintered, this event draws everyone to the community.

“We bring everybody together and if one looks around here today, a lot of the people are not even from Loyal Hill.”

With the 2020 Bermuda Day Parade called off shortly after the pandemic arrived on the island, the community started its own “mini-parade” on May 28 of that year.

Mr O’Brien said: “It has definitely grown from just a few neighbours. We had a few little children dancing in their Gombey suits to recorded music and a few decorated bikes.

“It has ballooned into what we have here today and we are impressed by the turnout.”

Mr Rabain, the representative of Constituency 13 (Devonshire North Central) performed emcee duties at the gathering, which he called “extremely important for the community”.

He told The Royal Gazette: “A lot of these families have been here for generations, so this is a phenomenal event where we see grandmothers, grandfathers, parents and children.

“It is always a beautiful thing and it is the highlight of my year each year.”

Mr Rabain acknowledged the weather had looked a bit “iffy” but the neighbourhood bash took place as planned.

He added: “It was absolutely beautiful and well organised and I’m so proud to be here.”

Karimah Hollis, a co-ordinator of the Ultimate Star Twirlers, Dancers and Drum Corps, said the group joined in because “it is important to keep the heritage alive”.

Ms Hollis, who runs the group with Shantel Smith, said the majorette dancers practised on Tuesday and Thursdays in Devonshire ‒ catering to people aged 5 to 45.

She said: “It is important to show community involvement in everything.

“We are a community outreach group so we are giving back to Devonshire.”

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