Pageanteers and other Carenage residents enjoying the ride on the pirogue
TriniView.com Reporters
Event Date: July 01, 2007
Posted: July 06, 2007
For Christians, Saint Peter is generally regarded as an important figure in Christianity, and Roman Catholicism specifically. As such, many Christians throughout the world annually celebrate his birthday on 29th June with traditional religious services and festive activities in commemoration of his life's work. This festival is regarded as an historical occasion and is particularly centered on the sea, fish and fishermen because St. Peter, who was one of Jesus' twelve Apostles according to the biblical story, was also a fisherman.
After a full week of preparations and plenty of entertaining activities in various fishing villages throughout Trinidad and Tobago, the final and most anticipated day of the annual St. Peter's Day celebrations came to an end on Sunday 01st July, 2007.
On this particular Sunday, in the village of Carenage, thousands of people from different denominations joined in the celebrations. The festival which included dancing, eating and cultural presentations lasted the whole day, stretching through the night and into the wee hours of Monday morning.
The day began with a traditional 8 a.m. church service at the St. Peter's R.C. Church in Carenage, conducted by local Archbishop Edward Gilbert. The church was filled with churchgoers who came to celebrate the ritual celebration with family and friends. They were also entertained by costumed girls in Caribbean wear with baskets in hands.
After the commemorative church service, the Archbishop blessed foodstuff including fruits, cakes and a variety of other items displayed under decorated tents in the churchyard.
Cadets leads the procession on the Western Main Road
Immediately following the blessing of the tents was the procession from the church down to Pier 1 in Chaguaramas. Many people were already on the streets waiting to either join or simply observe the procession on the narrow pavements which was led by the Trinidad and Tobago Cadet Band. What initially seemed like a long and tiring walk for some, really turned out to be a very comfortable and enjoyable journey when the Power Boats Scorpion Steel Orchestra joined the procession along the way. The atmosphere immediately came alive when the sweet rhythmic sounds of iron hitting iron, the pulsating beat of the drums, the intoxicating tones of the Steelpan and the harmonious scratching echoed through the village of Carenage. When the procession reached in front of the fishing centre, people, many of whom had partied the night before, were liming and having a good time on the streets. Some of them even joined the procession, but only for a short distance. Many people, especially the young adults, left the procession in front of the fishing centre to get a ride with the fishermen for the ceremonial blessings of the boats.
At the end of the procession, everyone, including the Archbishop, boarded the waiting barge, 'Mr. Russell', and headed out to the location in the sea where all the fishermen and their boats were blessed. Some people sang or prayed silently while others, especially the young ones simply observed what was taking place.
There was a lot of excitement as boatloads of people started pulling up behind the barge for ceremonial blessings. Some circled the barge in a playful manner after their boats got blessed while others either raced each other back to the fishing centre or stopped off on one of the islands for a swim. At the end of the ceremony, everyone returned to the village to continue the celebrations.
By 1 p.m. the main road was already very busy with a constant stream of traffic. People started gathering by the hundreds from as far back as Point Cumana where a lot of other activities were taking place. All the bars along the Western Main Road were open for business. Most of them had extended bars set-up under tents with a few small stages for entertainment, either neatly tucked under a big tree or at the entrance of a side street.
Around 6 p.m., the main road was very crowded with people dancing and merrymaking, continuing the day's celebrations.
Miss St. Peter's Day 2007, Sherry-Ann Luke
The biggest highlight of the evening was the pageant show which was organized by members of the community. The pageant was held in front of the St. Peter's Bay Restaurant and Bar on the Western Main Road, Carenage, in front of a large, curious audience. One of the main organizers was Ann Valentine, a resident of Carenage who had worked tirelessly, along with others, to ensure the show's success. Other indefatigable persons worth mentioning are Image Consultant Lester Rousseau who, with over twenty years of experience in the beauty industry, was responsible for training the girls for the pageant and assisting in the beautification of the pageanteers that evening; Glen Ford and his wife, owners of the St. Peter's Bay Restaurant and Bar; their daughter, Rachel who played a major part in hosting the Tiny Tot and Teeny Bopper Pageant; and Mr. Ken St. Louis who, apart from emceeing several shows that week, provided a great history of the area. Others involved were Carenage residents Dennis Peters of the Power Boat Scorpion ensemble; Ann Lewis; Eleanor Byer; and Sarah-Ann Ballantyne, just to name a few.
Eight contestants had participated in the St. Peter's Day Pageant and vied for the coveted crown. They were: Shanika Niles, Afisha Edwards, Chelsea Brown, Tameka Johnson, Sharon Bynoe, Sherry-Ann Luke, Jerusha Mark and La Toya De Coteau.
Minutes before the show started, the perimeter of the stage was already tightly packed with people of all ages. Most of them were friends and family of the contestants who came out to lend their support. As each contestant made their way onstage, the excited crowd cheered and shouted words of encouragement. The girls gracefully showcased their swimwear and evening gowns, much to the delight of the audience and in particular, the males who made no attempt to hide their approval. Other than a bit of mischievous distractions from a few members of the audience during the question and answer segment, the contestants braved it out to the end. At the end of the show, Sherry-Ann Luke was crowned Miss St. Peter's Day 2007.
This St. Peter's Day festival was a well-attended day of multiple activities made successful in part by the eager participation of the young and elder residents of Carenage and the surrounding communities that had contributed tremendously. Next year's celebration's promises to be just as eventful and as several Carenage residents predict, more exciting than ever.
St. Peter's Day Celebrations 2007 in pictures:
www.triniview.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=186916
The Eve of St. Peter's Day 2007 in pictures:
www.triniview.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=186402
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