And the Band Played On
What's more fun than a root beer float?
Members of the Christiansborg and Lartebiokorshie Stakes in Accra, Ghana, celebrated the 175th Anniversary of the restoration of the Church in a big way. On Saturday morning, September 10, between 1,500 and 2,000 members set out on a five mile walk through the center of the city. They were dressed in shirts that had been printed with a special logo created by a local member of the Church. Two large trucks accompanied the marchers, one at the front and one at the rear. Each truck carried a brass band playing lively music for the crowds. This type of parade is called a “float” by the Ghanaians. Police accompanied the float to direct traffic in appropriate places along the route so the marchers could safely travel. Follow us now on a wonderful adventure, an experience that will not soon be forgotten.
Members began to gather around 8 a.m. on Saturday. We were told that the float would begin as soon as there were enough members there to make it a success, and as soon as the trucks and bands were ready to go. While we waited, everyone visited and had a good time. One of the trucks was late so the band that was to ride on it played for the people while they waited.
And the Band Played On
Elder Smith, a missionary in the Accra Ghana Mission, blows a catchy little tune on the tuba while he is waiting to leave with the group. The missionaries used the event to hand out tracts along the way.
Elder Smith on the Tuba
Senior couples made the walk, too, and here Elder and Sister Huff from Centerville, Utah, do a little jitter-bug while listening to the band.
Huffs Cut a Rug
Everyone who could afford to wore the shirts with the logos on them. T-shirts were about $3 and the golf-style shirts were around $5. This doesn’t seem like much by American standards, but it was a great sacrifice for some of the members here.
The Philip Xaxagbe Family
Agnes, Philip, Abinadi, Joyce
Group from Buduburam
Even some little kids had shirts.
President Charles Sono-Koree, of the Lartebiokorshie Stake, gave instructions to the members from atop one of the trucks. He reminded us to behave ourselves. "No fights or skirmishes," he advised. "Be careful and stay together. Water cachets are available on the trucks. Just raise your hand if you need some. And please, whatever you do, don’t throw the empty water cachets on the ground! Most importantly, have fun."
President Sono-Koree
Sister Armstrong listened as President Sono-Koree gave his instructions. Notice she is prepared with her own bottle of water, an umbrella in case it rains, and most importantly, her camera.
Well Prepared Sister Armstrong
The second truck finally arrived. The band and members who were riding got on board, and the float set off with the police in the lead. Members had a good time all along the route, singing, waving white handkerchiefs and even dancing.
Band On Board
We're Off!
Dancing Floaters
Having Fun
A banner was carried at the front of the parade identifying the group as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There were also signs on each side of both trucks. Sister Armstrong took hold of the banner to get her picture taken.
A Banner is Unfurled
Sister Armstrong Helps with the Banner
The police were very helpful in managing the traffic. The float usually tried to stick to one side of the road so that the cars could get through, but that didn’t always work. There were just too many of marchers!
In Our Lane
Helpful Police
Overflowing the Road
Just A Lot of Marchers
There were little floaters, larger walkers, and even missionary marchers.
Little Floater
Grandpa Floater (Elder Armstrong)
Missionary Floater (Sister Huff)
Elder Floaters
Missionaries handed out tracts along the way, that is, when members didn’t take the tracts and insist on passing them out themselves! Members were excited about letting everyone know who they are and what they believed in.
Elder Turner Tracting
Vendors walked right along with the float. The man selling shakers walked all the way to the end of the parade route, swinging and shaking his gourds all the way.
Street Vendors in the Float
Shaker and Mover
Surely a tie saleman could find a buyer in this congregation.
The float even passed Ghana’s answer to the Dollar Store in the form of the Ten Thousand Cedi Shop. Ten thousand cedis are equal to a little over a dollar. Someone joked that this must be a “high-end” store in Africa.
Ten Thousand Cedi Shop
Two hours later everyone arrived safe and sound at the park, where the smell of rabbit sizzling on the grill wafted through the air. It reminded Sister Armstrong a little of being with her Bennion Heights Utah Stake when they gather in one of the pavilions for lunch on Stake Lagoon Day.
The Armstrongs want to hear what other stakes did to celebrate the 175th anniversary from readers of this page. Click the link below to email them with the story from your stake.
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