A community festival to be held next month – will be all about family, faith and friends. The Angle Street Community Association will hold the Bermuda Triangle Festival on June 5 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Angle Street, in Hamilton. The Association was started by MP Dale Butler last June and has the support of area MP Ashfield DeVent, the City of Hamilton, Ministry of Environment, Police Action Team and Economic Empowerment Zone (EEZ).

Mr. Butler, an Angle Street resident, said the association was started quietly a few years ago. "We are trying to develop a better community spirit," he said. "Our ultimate goal is the development of the area."

But he said there have been challenges. "It is difficult because it is a working class neighbourhood," said Mr. Butler. "People are busy with courses, or are holding down a second and third job."

He said the Angle Street Community Association was based on a similar association that existed for the Friswell's Hill area, 20 years ago.

"It has been an incredible struggle," said Mr. Butler. "Twenty years ago there was more of a community spirit. Today, people are more preoccupied with just surviving. It is difficult to get people out to meetings, but we realise that we have to start small."

Since the association's inception, a small group of 11 residents have had a pot-luck fundraiser, attended the Church of God and prepared for the Festival.

Right after Bermuda Day, Angle Street East will come alive with flowers and trees loaned by the Ministry of the Environment and the City of Hamilton in keeping with the Heritage Month Theme.

"Putting flowers and plants throughout the city was an idea that former Corporation of Hamilton secretary Roger Sherratt had ten years ago and didn't make any progress on. He was excited when he heard the idea was finally to go ahead."

Vendors have been invited to set up tables and join residents for the festival. A variety of activities have been organised including a fun castle.

Shops in the area will remain open allowing people to shop, get something to eat or get a haircut.

Entertainment will include: African Dancers, The Angle Street Drum Corps, Alpha Phi Alpha Steppers, majorettes and Gombeys for a day of fun, memories and community activity.

The association will be recognising some of its outstanding citizens and recalling the days when there were no less than 40 shops from Cedar Avenue and Angle Street to Union and Angle Street.

The event is free and all are invited. It is under the distinguished patronage of Mr. DeVent. The festival has the full support of the Mayor of Hamilton Charles R. Gosling.

"The Mayor of Hamilton did a site visit with his technical officers," said Mr. Butler. "It also has the full support of the Ministry of the Environment."

For the festival, the association picked an honourary mayor and ambassador, Adella Williams, a senior citizen, known for her volunteer work at the Salvation Army Thrift Shop.

A number of other prominent people in the area have also been picked to be ambassadors.

If you are a vendor and would like to participate, telephone Mr. Butler at 505-3409