500 Drones, Military Parade And Silent Fireworks To Headline Independence Celebrations
Approximately 500 synchronised drones, a military parade and silent fireworks will headline Trinidad and Tobago’s 64th Independence celebrations at the Queen’s Park Savannah, with police warning motorists to expect traffic restrictions and road closures.
Although the 64th Independence Day Parade has shifted to another location in the Queen’s Park Savannah, Chief of Defence Staff of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, Commodore Don Polo, says the military component will remain largely unchanged.
« The military parade for this year is not going to be very different from those in the past. We will still have unarmed and armed detachments. We are looking at 11 armed detachments, which will comprise two of the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment, two from the Coast Guard, two from the Air Guard, one from the Reserves, two from the Police Service, and two from the Cadet Force. »
Police will also maintain a strong presence throughout the celebrations.
DCP Suzette Martin is urging the public to celebrate with pride and energy while leaving violence and unlawful behaviour behind.
« Our officers will remain deployed with particular attention to pedestrian movement, traffic management, crowd behaviour, public order and the safe movement of participants and spectators, and our message is bring the flag, bring the pride, bring the culture and the energy, but leave the violence and unlawful behaviour behind. »
Following the parade, the celebrations will continue with a cultural showcase featuring a procession and approximately 500 synchronised drones, according to Communications Strategist at the Ministry of Culture and Community Development, Jerome Lewis.
« At 8pm we are going to have, as DCP Martin mentioned, the synchronised drones which we will use to create a number of patriotic images in the sky similar to what Machel Montana had at Flava last year. We are going to have choreographed pyrotechnics and major fireworks display, and yes, we will be presenting the silent fireworks. »
DCP Martin further warned motorists to expect temporary road closures, traffic restrictions, diversions and controlled access around the Queen’s Park Savannah and other celebration routes.
« Traffic management will be a critical component of the Independence Day operation. Motorists should anticipate temporary road closure, traffic restrictions, diversions and controlled access in and around the Queen’s Park Savannah and along routes associated with the celebrations. To assist the public in planning ahead, the official traffic restrictions, road closure, diversions, parking arrangements and public access information will be published in advance through the TTPS official communication channels and our media partners. »
A separate Independence fireworks display is also planned for San Fernando Hill, with restricted areas established for public safety.
