My Jamaican Christmas had several layers to it but at this very special time of year on the island, one of my favorite Christmas memories was a visit to Kingston with my mom. A trip to Kingston was always exciting, but the premier event for a “country girl” was going to Parade, the central square in the city where the mass of activities took place.
To me, Parade at Christmastime was like a Caribbean Craft Market. It was filled with people everywhere selling all things Christmas. There were the multiple wood carts with men and women selling balloons, hats of all shapes and sizes, plastic toys, starlight, fire crackers (clappers), thunder bolts, chi-booms, snow cones, coconut cakes, icicles, paradise plums, icy mint, ginger snaps, Busta, popsicles, and fudge. Other merchants were seen and heard selling fish, bammy, patties, all kinds of puddings, the ever-present fruitcake, everything made and displayed to make our mouth water.
To me, Parade at Christmastime was like a Caribbean Craft Market. It was filled with people everywhere selling all things Christmas. There were the multiple wood carts with men and women selling balloons, hats of all shapes and sizes, plastic toys, starlight, fire crackers (clappers), thunder bolts, chi-booms, snow cones, coconut cakes, icicles, paradise plums, icy mint, ginger snaps, Busta, popsicles, and fudge. Other merchants were seen and heard selling fish, bammy, patties, all kinds of puddings, the ever-present fruitcake, everything made and displayed to make our mouth water.
Going to Parade was a special treat. Children in the “country” the rural areas of the island didn’t get to see a lot of city life, and Christmas was one of those times when if you were lucky, you would get the opportunity to see the large buildings, cars, buses, vans, and trucks hustling about. You got to see city lights, beautiful stores like Woolworth, and Bata, see the big banks, office buildings, downtown Kingston, and so many things not seen in the country.
Mom, my sister, brother and I would walk around the park trying to see everything possible and mom would make sure we got at least one treat. She always bought my sister and I the tall paper Christmas hat decorated with various color of crepe paper blossoms and also having various phrases or lines from a song on them. Standing there in those hats, I though we looked funny, but it was all part of the fun festive atmosphere. My brother would get a matchbox car because those hats we wore were clearly not designed for boys. Most children in the square would receive a horn which they immediately began blowing.
The large clock in the middle of the park was a staple and kids while walking around would always look up at it as if waiting to receive a sign from God. Sometimes they would hear the clock strike an hour of the day signaling all to be conscious of their time.
If we were lucky or unlucky for most kids who were afraid, you would get to see the Jonkanoo dancers in their elaborate costumes parading in the streets and performing various folk dances. The costumes they wore, caused children including me to be fearful, so if they could bypass me I was thankful.
To say to a country girl that a visit to Parade at Christmas was not the “cherry on top” would be an understatement. Christmas and Parade made my Merry Christmas.
Mom, my sister, brother and I would walk around the park trying to see everything possible and mom would make sure we got at least one treat. She always bought my sister and I the tall paper Christmas hat decorated with various color of crepe paper blossoms and also having various phrases or lines from a song on them. Standing there in those hats, I though we looked funny, but it was all part of the fun festive atmosphere. My brother would get a matchbox car because those hats we wore were clearly not designed for boys. Most children in the square would receive a horn which they immediately began blowing.
The large clock in the middle of the park was a staple and kids while walking around would always look up at it as if waiting to receive a sign from God. Sometimes they would hear the clock strike an hour of the day signaling all to be conscious of their time.
If we were lucky or unlucky for most kids who were afraid, you would get to see the Jonkanoo dancers in their elaborate costumes parading in the streets and performing various folk dances. The costumes they wore, caused children including me to be fearful, so if they could bypass me I was thankful.
To say to a country girl that a visit to Parade at Christmas was not the “cherry on top” would be an understatement. Christmas and Parade made my Merry Christmas.