The C29 constituency of Southampton was filled with food, fun and community spirit today as MP Zane DeSilva hosted his annual back-to-school get-together at the Southampton Rangers parking lot.
The long-running event, which has been taking place for nearly two decades, brought together children, parents, grandparents and members of the wider community ahead of the new school year.
As preparations got underway, DeSilva said the event was once again designed to give local families an opportunity to come together and enjoy themselves while also receiving some practical assistance for the start of the school year.
Among those on hand was 92-year-old Howard “Saults” — described by DeSilva as the last surviving member of the Progressive Labour Party team that contested the 1968 General Election.
DeSilva proudly pointed to Saults as an example of the party’s long history of community involvement.
“Last man standing. 92 years old, he’s still at it. A man of the people he is. He taught us all what we know,” DeSilva said.
The afternoon featured barbecued hamburgers and hot dogs, with DeSilva saying approximately 500 hamburgers and 500 hot dogs were expected to be served.
The event also included games for children, face painting, fun castles, school-supply giveaways and gift certificates.
Teachers were also recognized, with DeSilva saying a special prize is presented each year as a small gesture of appreciation for their work.
“Just a little something-something to show that we haven’t forgotten them and we appreciate them,” he said.
DeSilva also acknowledged the support of Horseshoe Bay Live and Tulani Bulford, who agreed to supply the hamburgers and hot dogs for the event.
He praised his executive team, led by branch chairman Sean Simons, saying C29 has one of the most active executive branches in Bermuda.
The gathering was not just for schoolchildren. DeSilva said the event also includes a dedicated area for parents, grandparents and great-grandparents — whom he jokingly referred to as the “mature children” — giving older members of the community an opportunity to socialize and reflect on days gone by.
The event was scheduled to continue into the evening, with DeSilva saying organizers expected to keep things going until approximately 7:30 or 8:30 p.m., depending on how the afternoon unfolded.
And the back-to-school gathering is only the beginning.
DeSilva said the constituency’s next major community event will be its block party next month.
For now, however, the focus was on bringing the C29 community together and ensuring families could enjoy one final taste of summer before children return to the classroom.
Speaking from the heart of the Southampton Rangers community, DeSilva said the location was particularly fitting given that many of the event’s participants and supporters come from the area.
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