Saint Lucians are abuzz with anticipation ahead of Julien Alfred’s arrival on the island following the star athlete’s historic performance during the 2024 track season.
An announcement was made on September 9 detailing official plans to welcome the island’s first Olympic medallist back to Saint Lucia.
The plans include a celebratory motorcade that will usher her from the Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) to Gros Islet upon her arrival on Tuesday.
The motorcade is to begin at 3:30 pm.
Providing clarity on traffic arrangements and diversions during the motorcade, the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) confirmed that an official convoy of 40 authorised vehicles would accompany Alfred, traveling ahead of the general public, who are also welcome to join the procession.
This official convoy will include local, regional, and international media personnel along with crew members for a production that will be released globally.
Once the motorcade reaches Castries, only the 40 authorised vehicles will be permitted into the heart of Castries city.
Police will then direct the remainder of the procession to wait along nearby streets.
Once the 40 authorised vehicles leave the city, the public will rejoin the motorcade and continue into Gros Islet.
This decision was made with the size of roads in the city in mind, according to the RSLPF.
The police have also explained that maintaining structure, order, and safety is a priority.
Following Tuesday’s motorcade, the remaining events commemorating Alfred’s visit to Saint Lucia include two national school rallies.
The first rally will occur on the La Resource Playing Field on the morning of Wednesday, and the second at the Soufriere Mini Stadium.
In addition, Alfred is set to visit the Ciceron Primary School on Thursday, where a mural unveiling will occur and officials will make announcements.
On Friday, September 27, a national holiday already stamped “Julien Alfred Day”, a free concert will be held at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground from 4:00 pm.
This is a time alot of us are leaving the city trying our best to get to our children before it darkens. On an average day, the route from the City to Gros Islet highway is already so conjested, the area from Choc to Bois D’Orange is disastrous, it amazes me how so many persons really expect this highway to accommodate an entire motorcade of 40 vehicles plus unofficial vehicles on a typical work and school day. It is riculous. Why can’t alot of the ones complaining waive their flags while cheering Juju alongside the roads? No, you all just like to be difficult! September 24 is not the holiday, the holiday is the 27th. Park on the side of the road and waive your flags like everybody else! It cannot be persons who normally traverse the North route complaining about this because they all understand the challenges.
Will “Park and Ride” be available for the concert at DSCG on Friday?
I believe it would make more sense to have Ms. Alfred’s vehicle entourage on Sep 24th in the following order:
1. Ms. Alfred and her US delegation of her choosing (those involved in her medaling/coaching)
2. Ms. Alfred’s Immediate family
3. Government officials
4. Media (both local and international)
You can then designate areas where the citizens in varied parts of the island where they reside wave their flags and cheer her on. If you are inviting citizens with cars to join in on tomorrow – you will definitely be creating issues. You should keep as many vehicles off the road in order to ensure safety and efficiency.
Well since u have 40 vehicles it’s all about u all so have ur motorcade alone… because only you all will see or celebrate with her…
@ Fig-Mi Stop whining. Celebrate a huge accomplishment by a daughter of the soil.
Julien Alfred, I wish to thank you. As a taxi driver, I found driving on the Vieux Fort to Castries road very irritating with all these huge potholes. Thanks to your motorcade all the holes are blocked. This only goes to show that money is not the issue – the politicians just don’t care about what we go through.
Now we will need somebody to win another medal quickly for us to have another motorcade because the rushed work done will deteriorate quickly.
Just remember, it’s all about Juju. She deserves all the fanfare we can give. Congratulations Juju ! You’ve made every St. Lucian and West Indian proud. Big up !
The international media will be there, so let show our patriotism as we or on the world stage ….
@ I know the road September 23, 2024 At 9:04 pm
IKR. If you see the state of the roads they patched in Beausejour for cricket world cup. Potholes galore already. Again taxpayers suffer.