Four days of pomp, ceremony and celebrations marked Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee over the long weekend.
In London, a massive street parade, a Trooping the Colour military display, and a star-studded concert at the gates of Buckingham Palace were among the many events in the queen’s hometown, but Cayman proved to be no slouch when it came to showing its appreciation of the monarch’s 70-year reign.
The four-day holiday culminated Monday night with impressive fireworks along Seven Mile Beach, stretching from downtown George Town to West Bay Public Beach.
Even before the four-day public holiday began, a town crier – Craig Merren – kicked off events on Thursday afternoon at Heroes Square, by bellowing with much gusto and enthusiasm the proclamation of the official lighting of the beacons, which took place later that day. His proclamation was accompanied by traditional Caymanian conch-blowing led by Deal Ebanks and his daughter Ariane Leigh.
Beacon lightings took place on Thursday night on Cayman Brac and at Pedro St. James in Grand Cayman, to coincide with similar lightings around the globe to mark the jubilee.
Although wet and windy weather led to the postponement of the much anticipated return of the air show and air display, after a 20-year hiatus, on Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac on Friday and Saturday, respectively, there were plenty of activities – both officially and privately organised – to keep anyone who wanted to celebrate the queen’s jubilee more than happy over the long weekend.
On Friday and Saturday, in downtown George Town, the Sandbar presented two outdoor concerts, which brought out revellers in large numbers. Friday’s event started in the afternoon with a Live Street Food Festival, and featured local musicians and Jamaican reggae headliner Protoje, while on Saturday Queen tribute band Absolute Queen took to the stage.
On Saturday, Cayman Brac held a Trooping the Colour parade, a jubilee celebration with music and dancing, and a fireworks display, while on Sunday, services of thanksgiving were held at churches on all three islands.
Sunday was the day chosen by many to throw their own jubilee parties – reminiscent of the grand old tradition of English tea parties, though in warmer weather. Poolsides and homes at several condos across Grand Cayman were bedecked with Union Flag bunting, while Victoria sponges, sherry trifles, sausage rolls and scones with jam and clotted cream were served up. A number of restaurants and bars were also offering jubilee-themed brunches and dinners.
Monday was another event-laden day on Grand Cayman, beginning with the Queen’s Birthday Parade on West Bay Road, outside Government House, the official residence of Governor Martyn Roper.
The uniformed services in Cayman donned their finest uniforms to march along the road, watched by hundreds of locals and tourists.
Led by the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service Band, several contingents took part, including the RCIPS, the Cayman Islands Regiment, the Fire Service, the Prison Service, the Coast Guard, the Girls’ Brigade, the Scouts and Cub Scouts, the Cadet Corps and the Seventh-day Adventist Pathfinders.
Honours and awards
Following the parade, a number of residents, whom the governor had earlier announced would receive awards, were bestowed with their medals and honours. These included Lucille Seymour who received a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her services to sport, education and the people of the Cayman Islands; Deputy Clerk of Parliament Sharon Smith who also received an MBE for her services to the former Legislative Assembly of the Cayman Islands; and Cayman Islands National Gallery director Natalie Urquhart who received a British Empire Medal (BEM) for her services to arts and culture in the Cayman Islands and wider region.
The governor also presented former Health Services Authority laboratory forensic DNA specialist Angela Tanzillo-Swarts with her honorary MBE for her services to the COVID response in Cayman Islands, in particular her outstanding contribution to islands’ ability and capacity to carry out widespread testing.
Frank ‘Bud’ Volinsky, who set up The Bridge Foundation charity, was awarded an honorary BEM for his outstanding contributions to the Cayman Islands.
Governor Roper also presented Government Chief Information Officer Suzette Ebanks, Cayman Islands Airports Authority Chief Commercial Officer Bianca Moore Downey, and Clerk of the Cabinet Kim Bullings with their Cayman Islands Certificates and Badges of Honour for services rendered during the COVID pandemic.
Garden tea party
Although rain did make an appearance during the parade ceremony, it did not dampen spirits as a hip-hip-hooray for the queen was shouted by the uniform branches on parade and those watching. This was followed by the symbolic “arrival and departure” of the queen – the raising and lowering of the Royal Standard flag.
Once the parade and awards ceremonies were completed, the public was invited to enter the grounds of Government House to join the governor and officials at a garden tea party – which has been a long-standing tradition in the Cayman Islands.
As well as some typically British-style treats, and tea, of course, the winning ‘Cayman Sunrise Cake’ in the Cayman Platinum Cake Competition, baked by Anne Frawley, could be tasted.
Finally, the grand finale of the Platinum Jubilee events on Monday night came in the form of five sets of fireworks along Seven Mile Beach.
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