Pt Fortin Borough Day celebrations streamed online

Owing to the coronavirus pandemic, Point Fortin did not host this year’s Borough Day celebrations as it normally does, with J’Ouvert, fetes, military parades, steelpan shows and other festivities.

But the Point Fortin borough council presented a virtual celebration —We are Focused 40! — on Saturday from 2 pm to 8 pm which the mayor described an online hit.

"It was successful. Normally people from all over the world would have gathered in Point (Fortin) for the celebrations which we took to their homes. The response was great," said Kennedy Richards Jr.

"It was well attended online. If we appropriately use technology, we get the best results out of it. Man make technology, technology does not make the man."

Some of the entertainers included this year’s National Calypso monarch Terri Lyons, veteran calypsonian Weston "Cro Cro" Rawlins, Lois Lewis, sisters Tamika and Makeda Darius, the St Hilaire Brothers and gospel singer, Nataki Lendor.

The event was streamed live on Facebook and on Zoom.

The mayor said the council adhered to all the measures regarding the pandemic.

He said, "Even though we wanted to celebrate in a grand way, I think we have done our best. We utilised all our resources to ensure the Borough Day celebrations were kept alive and that the burgesses were engaged."

Point Fortin is considered the cultural capital of TT, but Richards referred to the community as the cultural capital of the world.

Richards added, "Maybe later in the year, we can have a celebration or we maybe we just have to wait until next year and celebrate our 41st anniversary as a borough."

He told Newsday that the council appreciates every person who has represented Point Fortin from then to now.

One of the biggest events is J’Ouvert which is traditionally held on the first Saturday in May. Had it not been for the stay-at-home measures, thousands of revellers in an assortment of costumes would have been in the streets on Saturday.

Public gatherings have been limited to five people.

A Facebook post on Sunday from Point Fortin MP, Edmund Dillon, said: "Good morning to my Point Fortin family. Our virtual Borough Day celebrations hosted by the Point Fortin Borough Council yesterday was absolutely wonderful."

The month-long celebrations would have been from April 11 to May 3.