Lots of Political Banners Means “Cloth di Sell Like Crazy”

Campaign season is in full swing, bringing a burst of color and excitement to cities and towns nationwide. Lampposts are decked out in party colors, and banners stretch across streets, showcasing the vibrant spirit of the elections. Tonight, we’ll dive into the world of campaigning and explore how constituencies are transformed with the colors of your favorite parties and the faces of their candidates. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano with more.

 

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

The People’s United Party flag proudly waves above a sea of supporters at the Belize Civic Center. This huge blue and white banner, made from several yards of fabric, is a familiar sight at PUP rallies and conventions, and today is no exception. Smaller flags decorate lampposts throughout Belize City and beyond. The red, white, and blue emblem of the United Democratic Party isn’t as widespread, but you can spot it in key areas.  It’s campaign season and the materials needed to sew these flags are in high demand.

 

Teresita Garbutt, Employee, Mikado Store

“The demand for the political material, it started a bit earlier this year, before the election date was out because we started advertising this material since it’s election time. But the demand has been more than usual for the fabrics because it’s selling a lot, so both parties are buying the red, white and blue or the blue and white.”

 

Banners are a great way to get a candidate or party noticed. They make it easier for people to recognize who’s running and what they stand for. With catchy slogans and key promises, banners highlight the campaign’s main values and goals. As the general election approaches, both parties are stepping up their game, using banners to build excitement and rally support, inspiring more people to get involved.

 

Iris Flores, Employee, Mikado Store

“Right now the material dehn di sell like for the political themes and it gives other people, like the seamstress and tailors jobs. They make the flags and then the person that buys the material they get the material back to hang it or do whatever they want to do with the material.”

 

Nowadays, fabrics are sold in large bundles. Customers flock to Mikado, placing big orders for cloth. When it’s not campaign season, buying these materials in bulk and storing them can be expensive and a real hassle.

 

Teresita Garbutt

“It stores at the warehouse. It’s nicely kept so it doesn’t catch dust, it doesn’t… no animal eats it, you know, fabrics.  We move them around from one corner to the next so it can be nicely kept and stocked for the next election or whenever it’s needed.”

 

Inside the store, there are eye-catching displays showing off creative ways to use the material. Loyal supporters from both parties can choose skirts instead of banners. Mikado hopes this trend will catch on fast. Besides that, customers are buying fabrics in all sorts of sizes.

 

Iris Flores

“Some of them buy by yard, but right now most of them buy by the roll.  So they get it by the roll, and then, well, we offer other stuff too, like the umbrella.  We have readymade flags and the tassels.”

 

Isani Cayetano

“Makes a lot of money selling political cloth?”

 

Teresita Garbutt
“Well only this time of year, yes.”

 

Isani Cayetano for News Five.