MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands' community enjoys 250th anniversary celebrations

Children and adults enjoyed a full day of games and music on Saturday

Saturday 31st January saw the culmination of a week of celebrations in the Falkland Islands commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Union Flag being raised on Saunders Island. Commodore John Byron placed the flag in 1765 signifying the start of British rule in the Falkland Islands.

 The Stanley Racecourse was the venue for the event which started on a cool misty day with children playing on a bouncy castle while the food vendors set their mobile kitchens up for the day ahead.

By midday the mist lifted and the sun split the skies for the rest of the day. The Sports Association bar opened and the games began with various races for both children and adults to enjoy followed by a scavenger hunt. The family fun continued until the evening with football, a magician, and more games and races.

After the games, the stage for the open air concert was rolled in and the music began with Stanley based musicians entertaining the crowd. later, there were two bands from the MPC music club. “Say No to Disco” and “Top Cover“ took to the stage with a range of modern and classic rock music.

”Top Cover” band member on guitar, the Commander of British Forces Russ La Forte (CBFSAI) said, “We were pleased to take part in the ceremonial flag raising at Port Egmont a week or so ago and this is another opportunity for us to support the local talent here in the Falklands”.

The event supporting local charity Stephen Jaffray Memorial Fund and the Royal Naval Association was sponsored by businesses helping fund and lend their equipment and time to make the day a success. Organizer Teslyn Barkman, the Falkland Island government's PR and Media Assistant, said “We have had so much help with local businesses coming forward and good team of people helping to make a streamlined chaos. It has just been a brilliant, brilliant day.”

The Music played into the night and could be heard over much of Stanley and was an overwhelming success with a real festival atmosphere and a great true Falklands' community feeling.