The Prime Minister of St. Maarten the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams is encouraging the General Public to attend the Christmas Lighting Ceremony at the Clem Labega Square this Saturday. This marks the seventeenth year that Government will be hosting a lighting ceremony in front of the government building, with the first time being after hurricane Luis in 1995, a time when the country could use some holiday cheer. "Since then we have made it tradition to ring in the holiday season with an official lighting ceremony of the government building and the Christmas trees that will be on the square," commented the Prime Minister.
The festivities will start at four-thirty in the afternoon with a Christmas parade which will include the Generation New Status Band, the Soualiga Jump Up Brass Band, the Dow Ebony Steel Orchestra, Dance theatre of St. Maarten being led by Mr. Kris Kringle himself; Santa Claus. The parade will start at the Clem Labega Square after which it will pas through the court house alley, down front street to Jump Up Casino, through Backstreet and then back to the Clem Labega Square.
"As soon as the parade enters the square the countdown will begin for the lighting itself, after which there will be stage performances by the Dance Theatre of St. Maarten, Don Froston and the participants of the Parade. There will also be vendors on the square selling various products. I would like to encourage all within the community to come out and spread the holiday cheer. Let us celebrate Christmas together at the special lighting ceremony. I especially encourage families to come out and experience the magic of the holidays," concluded the PM.