Changing Of The Sentry

Join us at the CHANGING OF THE SENTRY CEREMONY as Barbados pays homage to its Military History, through a short ceremonial mini-parade.

The Change of Sentry/Guard is a ceremony dating back the late 1700s, and features members of the Barbados Legion marching past the sentry post at the Clock Tower with a drum corps, all dressed in colonial attire.

The Barbados Legion is made up of retired members of various military units, who were trained by the Barbados Defense Force.

During the colonial era, this military exercise was one of the main events at The Garrison, which was a military site at the time for British troops. The area is now called the ‘Garrison Historic Area’.  

The colourful Zouave uniform, worn at the ‘Change of the Sentry’ was the ceremonial dress of the West Indies Regiment, dating back to 1858. A version of this uniform is still worn today by the Barbados Defense Force Band.

The West India Regiment was the first British Regiment of black soldiers, providing 132 years of service both in the British West Indies and worldwide.

The colourful Zouave uniform of the 1st & 2nd West Indian Regiments was selected by Queen Victoria in 1856 and was modeled after the French Zouave regiments. 

The reenactment was launched in December 2011 and is a production of Barbados Garrison Historical Consortium Inc. and the Barbados Defence Force, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and the Barbados Tourism Authority (BTA).

The Changing of the Sentry/Guards truly showcases Barbados' rich military heritage.
 

The Changing of the Sentry in Barbados 
Ceremony takes place every Thursday
(from June until March of the following year
LOCATION: The Garrison Clock Tower at the Main Guard
TIME: 12 noon   
(Duration: approx. 15 minutes)
ADMISSION: Free

- Up to 13 men in full ceremonial dress
- Presentation includes narration through
- Full loaded Bar Open from 11:30am
- Souvenirs & craft on sale  

NOTE
The ‘Changing of the Sentry’ exercise is on 6-week holiday and will resume on October 15, 2015
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When in this area check out the many military sights and sites in the Garrison Historic Area:

Here are some Beaches nearby:

 



Weekly Events

Thursday Come see the changing of the Sentry Ceremony & mini-parade every Thursday at 12 noon ...step back to 1700s

Directions
South of Bridgetown Cruise Terminal
On the border of the Garrison Savannah



Contact Info
Changing Of The Sentry
The Main Guard Clock Tower
The Garrison
St Michael
Tel: (246) 426 0982

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