Schoolchildren from the Jersey Games Choir standing on stage chanted ‘Jersey, Jersey, Jersey’ repeatedly as the Island’s 280 athletes made their way into the park, as part of an outstanding opening ceremony.
The Bailiff William Bailhache officially declared the Games open as cannons fired confetti and streamers over a euphoric crowd enjoying the near perfect warm weather.
He said: ‘It’s wonderful to think that in terms of participants this is the biggest competitive event in the world this year.’
And a warm Jersey welcome was extended to the teams from all 24 islands taking part in the Games as they marched into the park.
Asides from the home team, the biggest cheers of the night came for our island neighbours, Sark and Guernsey, albeit with a few good-natured boos thrown in for the latter.
The evening’s entertainment peaked with an uplifting performance in Jersey-French of the Beatles song With a Little Help from my Friends by Jèrriais folk-band Badlabecques, backed by the Les Amis Choir, the Jersey Games Choir and the Fleur de Lys Choir from St Mary.
