2016 Cavalcade keeps the tradition alive

Heavy rain did not dampen spirits at this year’s Three Kings Cavalcade. Despite the downpour ahead of the parade the traditional event went ahead making it another successful. In its 59 year history the Cavalcade has never been cancelled. In all the 2016 Cavalcade saw a total of nine floats. This year the Cavalcade saw a strong police presence with armed officers patrolling the Casemates area ahead of the parade.

The Budokai Martial Arts Centre came in first place in the senior section with Attack of the Dragons. Dolphins Youth Club with the ever popular children’s book character Peter Pan won first place in the junior section.

It was just after 6pm when the participants had to open umbrellas and run for cover as well as making sure their floats were not water logged. But everyone kept their spirits high determined to get the show on the road and as soon as the rain stopped the floats were filled with the many children and adults participating in the event.

And at 7.30pm Main Street was lined with hundreds of people all wanting to enjoy this years spectacle.

The Balloqui Family drew inspiration from Disney and recreated the film ‘Inside Out’ on their float which came in second place in the senior section. ‘Inside Out’ is based on human emotions and the characters on the float played the part.

Gibraltar Breastfeeding Association’s float was also based on a Disney film and children enjoyed the ‘Up’ themed float.

Similarly the winning junior float from the Dolphins Youth Club was based on the children’s story of Peter Pan.

The Laguna Youth Club’s float embraced the 75th anniversary of the Evacuation and blasted local music such as ‘Llevame Donde Naci’. The Youth Club came in second place.

In third place for the junior section was the 1/4th Scouts and their Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles themed float.

Bringing an end to the festive period St Bernard’s Church based their float on the Nativity scene coming in third place in the senior section of the cavalcade competition.

The Budokai Martial Arts Centre and AIM winner was themed ‘Attack of the Dragons’ drawing on the Asian theme of the art.

Europa FC sports academy based their float on themselves with youngsters dressed in sports attire. Special Ops Gibraltar Lazer Tag also built a float for the cavalcade event and the children dressed were in camouflage.

Christopher Pitto, Maurice Stagnetto and Alfred Lavagna participated this year as the Three Kings. The tradition of the cavalcade remained strong and despite the downpour locals enjoyed the event.

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