00:00Independence Day celebrations are back. For many spectators, the return of the Independence
00:06Day Parade was a welcome sight, especially after there were no such celebrations last
00:11year. But while the tradition returned, there was a major change. This year's parade moved
00:16from its familiar setting at the grandstand to the northern side of the Queen's Park Savannah
00:21opposite President's House. And while some welcomed the return of the celebration, others
00:26weren't as impressed with the new location. We caught up with spectators to get their
00:31views on the new location. I love it. It was great. It was very nice. What was your favorite part?
00:38Everything about it was nice, but the fire service was my favorite part. It was good. You enjoyed it? Yes.
00:45Did you miss it last year? Yes, because I come in here since my children babies and now they are
00:49out there. So, great problem. What do you think about the change of venue? I don't like it.
00:55You prefer to go back to the grandstand. Why? Pretty much so. It's better. You see everything. You're not seeing
01:01it as a supposed suit on this side.
01:03I don't like it because, for instance, we were in the stand there and you couldn't see much because all
01:10the things was more to the front there. So, being with the stand, it wasn't as nice.
01:17No, I do not like the change of venue. Why? Because as a viewer of the parade, we hardly saw
01:26anything. It was difficult to see the parade from the angle of it. If the stand was more on that
01:35side, we would be able to see and enjoy. But nevertheless, we missed the parade last year. I enjoyed the
01:42parade today.
01:43It was good. It was good. The only thing about it, we had a little walk. We had to walk
01:47a little bit.
01:47I honestly don't have a problem with it because anything that this government do, they're doing it in the sense
01:56of for the people. You understand? I mean, at this point in time, we have to look at cutting on
02:03funding, unnecessary funding.
02:05And if we, with the removing of the location, I mean, and we save money and it can go into
02:10something else, you know, to benefit the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.
02:15And beyond the location for many spectators, the parade was about much more than where it was held. It was
02:21about tradition, national pride, and bringing people together.
02:25Yes, positively. It gives you a sense of belonging, love for your country, and love for each other.
02:35Yes, it is. It's a national celebration. Unite everybody. Look at the room. I love the parade and it's something
02:44I enjoy ever since with my children. Now I have my grandchildren, the younger son. I enjoy it.
02:51And as the 64th Independence Parade came to an end, the question remains, will this new location become part of
02:58the tradition or will the parade return to the grandest stand?
03:02Charlotte Kisto, TV6 News.
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