HAPPY BIRTHDAY ST HELENA | Darrin Henry
St Helena Day is 21 May, our island birthday, commemorating the date in 1502 when Portugese sailor, Joa Da Nova, stumbled across this little uninhabited, Atlantic outcrop.
As you might expect, 21 May is a public holiday on St Helena, and celebrations are always held. The local youth group, New Horizons, have taken on organisation of the day’s events in recent years, usually with a theme – this year it was, ‘People and Places of the Commonwealth.’
The Grand Parade square in Jamestown, normally full of parked vehicles during the day, was cleared to make space for gazebos, food stalls and a stage for local bands.
A St Helena Day War Dance
The showpiece of the day is always the afternoon float parade, which begins at the top of the town and slowly makes its way down to the Parade Square.
Although we’ve covered various street parades on St Helena for our blog, this year’s St Helena Day we were ‘off duty’ so to speak, deciding to just have a beer and enjoy the spectacle. We took the camera to capture a few ‘snaps,’ nothing else!
Playing guitar – Waiting on the parade to arrive at The Bridge, listening to a little music being played on The Clock.
With a perfect vantage point on The Bridge, cold Windhoek (me) and Hunters Dry (Sharon) from the White Horse pub, all was going to plan until the St Paul’s district float came by; a large crown, followed by a totally enthralling dance troupe. An enthusiastic New Zealand, ‘Haka’ war dance grabbed everyone’s attention before a brilliant energetic routine to Jai Ho, from the film Slumdog Millionaire.
Needless to say I couldn’t resist! My pictures don’t quite do justice to the vibrancy and mood of the dance, but trust me it was one of the best parade moments I’ve seen for a long time. St Paul’s went on to win the float competition with this entry – well deserved.
After that it was back to the alcohol and enjoying the rest of the day, the camera on standby just in case!
Here are a few of our St Helena Day photographs, a little memento of the celebrations.
The theme for St Helena Day 2017 was ‘People and Places of the Commonwealth’ – this was one of two ‘Queens’ taking part in the parade.
‘The World’ float coming down Market Street and onto The Bridge in Jamestown, part of the 2017 parade for the 21 May celebrations on St Helena.
The St Helena national day 2017 street parade for the theme, ‘People and Places of the Commonwealth’
Aeroplanes have become a popular float subject for street parades since the building of the airport. Here’s an entry from Harford School taking part in the St Helena Day 2017 street parade.
Members of the sports team who will represent St Helena at this year’s Small Island Games in Gotland, Sweden, taking part in the St Helena Day 2017 parade.
The Freedom Bus, taking part in the St Helena Day 2017 street parade.
St Helena Day 2017 street parade – colourful entry from Sandy Bay.
St Helena Day 2017 street parade – leading the St Paul’s float down through Jamestown.
St Helena Day 2017 street parade – the St Paul’s ‘crown’ float.
St Helena Day 2017 street parade – the Queen of St Paul’s waving to the crowd.
St Helena Day 2017 street parade – watching from outside the White Horse pub.
The St Paul’s Haka on the Bridge.
St Helena Day 2017
St Paul’s district steal the show with their happy and energetic, Jai Ho dance through the streets of Jamestown for St Helena Day 2017.
St Paul’s district steal the show with their happy and energetic, Jai Ho dance through the streets of Jamestown for St Helena Day 2017.
St Paul’s district steal the show with their happy and energetic, Jai Ho dance through the streets of Jamestown for St Helena Day 2017.
St Paul’s district steal the show with their happy and energetic, Jai Ho dance through the streets of Jamestown for St Helena Day 2017.
Front step seat on Main Street for the St Helena Day 2017 parade.
On 21 May 2017, St Helena’s national day, a policeman is taken over by the spirit of the Ladder Challenge and decides to take part.
Catching the last rays of sunlight, the World float parked up in the Parade Square.
Catching the last rays of sunlight, the Elephant float parked up in the Parade Square.
Night falling on the Parade Square as everyone enjoys the tea and cakes on sale for St Helena Day 2017.
Gareth Drabble, frontman for the band ‘Island Politics’ performing at St Helena Day 2017.
James Fantom, bass player for the band ‘Island Politics’ performing in the Parade Square for St Helena’s 21 May 2017 celebrations.
Barry Francis on drums for local band ‘Island Politics’ performing at St Helena’s national day celebrations, 21 May 2017.
Popcorn sales were busy throughout the day and well into the evening.
The very tasty delights from Mike’s Munchies.
St Helena’s Day 2017 finale – fireworks over Jamestown, launched from the top of Jacob’s Ladder.
St Helena’s national day finale – fireworks over Jamestown, launched from the top of Jacob’s Ladder, bringing the 21 May 2017 celebrations to an end.
St Helena Day 2017 finale – fireworks over Jamestown, launched from the top of Jacob’s Ladder.
For SOMEBODY who just SUPPOSEDLY be watching the proceedings, you have done it again, SPECTACULAR! well done people. Duff
Thanks Eddie, you guys made it all worth it. Well done again St Pauls. Pressure on now for next year!! Cheers 🙂
D&S YOUR PICS BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE. YOU HAVE CAPTURED THE SPIRIT OF sT hELENA DAY SO PERFECTLY ALL I CAN THINK IS HOW I WISH I WAS THERE: And you manage this on a “day off! ” – talent indeed!!! MISSING MY HOME.
Missing you too Sarah 🙁 Don’t stay away too long. Thanks for the lovely comment, it was a lovely day. A lot of work went into the floats, the band was great and the fireworks were pretty good as well. Not much not to like 🙂 Cheers
What a lovely account of the day. EVEN your ‘snaps’ capture the atmosphere as well as any formal PICTURES. KEep up the good work and enjoy the beer!
Thanks Chris, we did enjoy the beers too! It was a good day 🙂
These pictures are astonishing professional and warm made me feel really grateful to be a saint, well done to you both, however I don’t expect anything less from perfectionists 🙂 x
Bless you. Thanks Julie. It was a lovely evening chilling in the Parade square listening to Island Politics. Fireworks were pretty cool too, great job by the organisers. Cheers 🙂
https://youtu.be/cqVf182N-yQ
JUst checked it out 🙂 The Big Easy performing in the Parade Square, featuring Donny Stroud.
Here’s a link to the video of the band playing when the ACCORDION comes out. Absolutely brilliant – I just apologise for the judders and quality as I couldn’t help dancing myself!
Thanks Nicole. Will be checking it out in the free window!! Cheers 🙂
Harmonica not accordion (smacks head!)
Nice pictures as always thanks for sharing
You’re welcome, cheers Lawson 🙂
These wonderful pictures by WTSDN reminds us of the exciting weekend celebrations on St Helena’s day afternoon and night parade, the organizers and all who provide entertainment for the day. Thanks Darrin & Sharon for your Post.
Thanks Borbs. Really appreciate the effort made by the float makers especially, some great entries. Cheers 🙂