2014 VG Festiville has grand opening ceremony!
Last night April 19, 2014 marked the official opening of the Grace Vanterpool Festiville at the recreation ground on Virgin Gorda where the term ‘usual style’ would be an understatement. While a ceremony was usual the atmosphere was not.
The difference was this Year’s Honoree Ms Grace Vanterpool aka Gracee. Everyone that took to the microphone had no choice but to note the significance of Ms Vanterpool to the celebrations of this year.
She was hailed as one of the well-known fisherwomen on the Island and one with who knows the true meaning of ‘Fun, Fete and Bacchanal’. Hon Walwyn described her as, “A lady short in words but big in action.” He said that it was her commitment and dedication over the years has earned her the honour.
“She is known to have always been present in the Festiville village, food fair, the parade and the rise and shine tramp. Though seemingly quiet, as you saw, her ever-present baked goods and pastries have become a signature of the Easter Festival. We thank Ms Gracee as she is affectionately called for continuing to promote the cultural heritage of the Virgin Islands.”
On the other hand, Ms Gracee was a new name and face to Chairman of the BVI Festivals and Fairs Committee Mr Marvin ‘MB’ Blyden but for the short time he had the opportunity to meet and interact with her he was overly impressed.
He said at the opening, “To Miss Grace Vanterpool, I thank you for accepting the naming of this Village in your honour.” He further said, “I never knew you before but I had the honour to meet you at the Queen’s show and the food fair. You are a great woman.”
When it was Ms Gracee’s turn to take to the microphone, she said nothing but few words but the music was present in her bones as she could not wait for that moment to start gliding across the stage dancing.
The spotlight of the opening ceremony was also for a short while on the two persons who were responsible for coining the theme and slogan for this year. They were Monel Marcellin and Horace Bergen respectively. The theme is ‘One big party of cultural unity celebrating Virgin Islands’ heritage and diversity’ and the Slogan is ‘Fun fete and Bacchanal for Virgin Gorda Festival’.
According to Public Relations Officer for the Virgin Gorda Easter Festival it is the committee’s intention to have the theme reign throughout the year as a banner over Virgin Gorda and will be used at every event and activity that follows the Easter season for the remainder of 2014.
In addition to a cash incentive the winners were given other prizes including passes to enter all the activities that will be featured throughout this year’s Easter Festival.
The committee came in for high praises for a job well done at pulling off the events for this year with a body of young people especially its chairperson Ms Sasha D. A. Flax. Mr Blyden was keen to also recognize the works that were put in by previous chairmen.
Present at the opening were Premier Dr the Hon D. Orlando Smith and his wife Lorna Smith.
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