The Caroni District of the Ministry of Community Development will commemorate the nation's 50th Anniversary of Independence with a street parade, cultural show and fireworks display at the Couva Recreation Ground, Couva Main Road today starting at 3 p.m.

An hour-long street parade featuring the 2nd Freeport Sea Scouts, Basta Hall and Felicity Tassa groups and Couva Jab Jab, will begin from Isaac Junction and end at the venue, where the formal programme is set to get underway from 4 p.m. The concert will feature artistes performing vocal and dance compositions in the genres of chutney, soca, folk, parang and steelband.   Among those slated to perform are: 

• North West Laventille Cultural Movement (overall Best Village 2011 winners)

• Roderick "Chucky" Gordon (Soca)

• Rasika Dindial (Chutney)

• Emmanuel Spiritual Baptist Church Choir (Folk)

• Moments (Parang) and

• Gran Couva Stick Fighters among others

The concert will be followed by a fireworks display.

The event is part of the Ministry's series of community concerts entitled, "SHINE: Spotlighting Community," being held in all eight districts across the country, along with three concerts on a national level, with the third to be held at Skinner Park, San Fernando on August 5.   S.H.I.N.E. is an acronym for Showcasing and Honouring our Independent Nation of Equality. 

According to Winston "Gypsy" Peters, Minister of Community Development, "SHINE underscores the value of communities and their role in our nation's development since independence. Communities have preserved various aspects of cultures and practices from across the globe while creating a distinct Trinbagonian culture. These festivals are a priceless opportunity for the younger generations to learn about the heritage and distinctiveness of our communities."

All concerts are free and open to the public.