Music carried far and wide from Heroes Square as the festivities came to a close for National Heroes Day on Monday. But before a dazzling array of gold and red fireworks signalled the end of the evening, droves of people turned out to celebrate Caymanian culture with food and family-friendly fun.
Visitors walking from the square toward Cardinall Avenue approached rows of white tents where vendors were frying up festival, spinning cotton candy and grinding ice for snow cones. In another row, artists brought traditional crafts to life with their demonstrations on weaving baskets and nets.
Just around the corner, youngsters seemed delighted at the variety of booths where they could get their faces painted, watch as balloon animals materialised before their eyes, try their hand at joining a drum circle, or pose for silly pictures at a prop-filled photo booth.
But centre stage is what drew the largest crowds.
Sizeable turnout
Cabinet Secretary Samuel Rose, who earlier that day led the investiture ceremony for the Order of the Cayman Islands, led headliner Swanky Kitchen Band’s performance.
Rose said he was delighted to see a large turnout for the cultural celebration.
“There’s been over 1,200 people here at the first count, and even more people are just starting to arrive now,” he said, only two hours into the evening’s festivities.
That number only grew in anticipation of Swanky Kitchen Band performing, which has been promoting traditional kitchen dance music for 20 years.
But before their show, artists of various genres graced the stage, including the Red Bay Gospel Band, Impulse Band and Cayman Islands Folk Singers.
Rose said he was encouraged by all the community support for this year’s theme.
“We’re celebrating our cultural artists and creatives, so it is a blessing to showcase the individuals and bands with Caymanian heritage,” Rose said.
‘Granny, don’t change’
As the last of the sunlight faded, the Swanky Kitchen Band stepped up to the stage and started off by thanking supporters who helped them secure a National Heroes Day award for their musical contributions to sustaining Caymanian culture.
“We receive that award with great humility,” Rose said.
After a bit of tuning, the wide variety of instruments rang out and brought dozens of people to the dance floor. Vocalist Jeffrey Wilson got the crowd singing along as they implored “Granny, don’t change” in one of their songs. Before long, Rose had a throng of people cheering with their hands in the air as he asked, “Are you proud to be a Caymanian?”
Cultural fusion
The evening’s performance was made particularly special with the inclusion of guest artist Danny Knicely, who is a Virginia-based bluegrass artist. He and Rose met at the Old Fiddlers’ Convention in Galax, Virginia, which eventually led to their collaboration for the holiday.
Rose said the fusion was only natural considering Caymanian music features stringed instruments, and Knicely is a world-renowned guitarist, fiddler and mandolinist.
“I got into it through my family,” Knicely said. “I had it on both sides. My grandparents on my dad’s side had a little group that played fiddle and guitar, and my grandmother and great uncles on the other side played fiddle and banjo music and piano. I just grew up with it.”
Knicely has used that talent to travel the world with the support of the Center for Cultural Vibrancy, and he said he was especially pleased to join his friends here for the Heroes Day celebration.
The day came to a close with a spectacular 10-minute-long fireworks display.
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