Cayman: National Heroes Day Celebrations

Grand Cayman (GIS) – National Heroes Day in the Cayman Islands will be celebrated over three days this year with full ceremony and events on Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac, yet respecting existing COVID-19 protocols.

            One main difference this year from previous years’ celebrations will be limits on numbers of who can attend, with attendance by invitation only.

However, to accommodate the general public, the plan is to provide live coverage on Government’s YouTube channel from both Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac. The link to the channel is :  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGVlgTtKrEQHpXgoGNH_e7w/live or http://bit.ly/govkylive.

            The 2021 event aims to help the Islands “reflect on the national heritage” and simultaneously be “inspired for the future”. Celebrations will include parades by uniformed contingents.

Cayman’s seafaring heritage takes centre stage this year. Additionally, three National Hero busts will be unveiled at Heroes Square. Meanwhile, a number of Caymanians will be recognised for their contributions as exceptional members of the Islands’ community.

Yet another significant feature this year will be the honouring of the first eight recipients from the newly establishedOrder of the Cayman Islands. Four Officer and four Member awards will be conferred during the investiture ceremony.

            Parades will take place at all the events on both islands and also specially curated exhibits will provide historical insights on both Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac. However, there will be no post-event entertainment this year at Heroes Square or Pedro St. James.

A dress code of business attire is required for all attendees at all events. However, members of the CI Seafarers Association are asked to wear their Association polo shirts and hats. Attendees with ceremonial medals are advised to wear them.

            Celebrations start on Cayman Brac and continue on Grand Cayman over the weekend.

Cayman Brac: on Saturday, 23 January 2021, 1 pm, Aston Rutty Centre:

• Three contingents from the Police and Fire Services as well as the National Cadet Corps will participate in the parade.
• An exhibit will be on display at the hall next door of the Veterans and Seamen Society of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.
• There will be light refreshments available.
• All attendees are to take their seats by 12.15 pm.

Grand Cayman: In order to be able to accommodate as large a gathering as possible, celebrations are scheduled to take place over two days this year:

1. Sunday, 24 January 2021 at Pedro St. James, Savannah – from 4 pm for award recipients from Bodden Town, North Side and East End.

• Attendance is strictly by invitation to the awardees and guests at the event to ensure numbers restrictions for COVID-19 are not breached.
• There will be limited parking at the Pedro venue and also along the route, as directed by officials so that normal movement on the road and nearby feeder roads are not impeded.
• Also, four contingents from the Fire and Prison Services, the Pathfinders and the National Cadet Corps, led by the Police Band will participate in the parade to start off the celebrations.
• Light refreshments will be available at Pedro but there will be no post event entertainment.
• There will be a photo booth for awardees to take official photos.
• All attendees are to be seated by 3.15 pm.

2. Monday, 25 January 2021, on National Heroes Day public holiday – at Heroes Square in town centre, George Town; from 9 am – for George Town and West Bay recipients.

• To limit social gathering, attendance here as well is by invitation only.
• Four contingents from the Police, the Cayman Islands Regiment, Scouts and the Girls Brigade, led by the Police Band will participate in the parade.
• There will be no post-event refreshments or entertainment at this event.
• An official photo booth for awardees will be available at Constitution Hall (former Town Hall).
• All attendees are to be seated by 8.15 am.
• As part of the celebrations, there will also be an exhibit to commemorate this year’s seafarers’ theme at the CI Seafarers Hall in Prospect, curated by the National Museum. The exhibition will be open to the public from Tuesday, 26 January 2021 for a month.

Chief of Protocol, Ms Meloney Syms, who is leading the planning, as well as coordinating volunteers, commented, “We are very happy to be organising National Heroes Day celebrations, which this year, despite COVID 19, is an expanded event over the long weekend. It has called for greater planning and execution and I am truly grateful for all involved who have risen so well to the occasion in the preparation and organisation of all events on both Cayman Brac and Grand Cayman. I invite all to participate in all events, whether by invitation in person or by viewing on CIG’s live online presentations.”