Bermuda is to send a slice of Island life to a ten day cultural festival in the Caribbean this summer.

The Government has decided to participate in the annual Carifesta, which is taking place in St. Kitts and Nevis, and a group of between 30 and 32 people will be representing the Island.

Entertainers, gombeys, dancers, chefs, young people, Bermudian art and books will all be on show during the August 17 to August 26 event.

Development and Opportunity Minister Terry Lister said the event, which Bermuda last attended five years ago, covers 20 Caribbean islands.

He said countries were limited to 25 participants but Bermuda had managed to push their number up to about 30.

An aircraft has been chartered via Meyer Travel to fly the group to the event at a cost of $600 per person. In addition, Government is footing the bill for their stay at an all-inclusive hotel for $85 per person per night.

"Because of the flight time to get there on a commercial airline, we are chartering an aircraft. The flight will take three hours. We can save around $9,000 by having a charter flight,'' he said.

He said there were around 90 extra seats available to the public for the trip, adding that he believed the Government was not responsible for any unsold tickets on the flight.

"I am pretty sure we will get the numbers. Charters to St. Kitts in the past have always been successful.'' The Warner Gombeys, Bermuda College chefs, the Bermuda Dance Company, art by Manuel Palacio, Sharon Wilson, Chesley Trott and Diana Amos will be accompanied by Mr. Lister, Cultural Affairs officer Heather Whalen and programme coordinator Gary Burgess.

In addition, there will be young people who will take part in a "Youth Focus'' event.

Whilst they are not performing, participants will be ferried around the Islands, visiting different areas.

And 12 Bermuda books have been selected to be included in a Carifesta book fair.

"I believe this will be a great event for all Bermudians who have been selected to travel to represent their country. Carifesta is placing emphasis on strengthening the culture of the region and will be encouraging delegates to interact with each other in order to exchange ideas and experiences,'' he said.

PEPPERCORN CEREMONY PARKING PAR Peppercorn Ceremony parking Motorists attending Wednesday's Annual Peppercorn Ceremony in St. George's are advised of parking restrictions between 9 a.m.

and 12.30 p.m.

The ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. and all parking on King's Square is banned throughout the morning.

There will be no parking on Water, Bridge, and King Streets, Hunter's Wharf, Ordnance Island, and behind the Town Hall building.

Spectators will be allowed to park at the Penno's Wharf car park.

In addition, the St. John's Ambulance Brigade will be on hand to provide first aid support from behind the Visitor's Service Bureau building.

Wednesday's ceremony will be the 184th time the Freemason's Lodge 200 of St.

George's will present one peppercorn to the Governor as rent for use of the State House.