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2014 VG Festiville has grand opening ceremony!

The Virgin Gorda Easter Festiville was opened with nothing but Fun, Fete and Bacchanal all started by Ms Grace Vanterpool and Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn. Photo: VINO
Both the Chairman of the BVIF&FC Mr Marvin
Both the Chairman of the BVIF&FC Mr Marvin "MB" Blyden and Hon Walwyn commended the committee for a job well done. Photo: VINO
Ms Grace Vanterpool in her full Traditional wear for the opening ceremony of the Festival that was named in her honour. Photo: VINO
Ms Grace Vanterpool in her full Traditional wear for the opening ceremony of the Festival that was named in her honour. Photo: VINO
Ms Grace Vanterpool receiving her plaque of honour from Mr Blyden in presence of PRO Jerrell A. George. Photo: VINO
Ms Grace Vanterpool receiving her plaque of honour from Mr Blyden in presence of PRO Jerrell A. George. Photo: VINO
Theme winner Monel Marcellin. Photo: VINO
Theme winner Monel Marcellin. Photo: VINO
Slogan winner Horace Bergen. Photo: VINO
Slogan winner Horace Bergen. Photo: VINO
Virgin Gorda's Easter Festiville opened on Saturday April 19, 2014. Photo: VINO
Virgin Gorda's Easter Festiville opened on Saturday April 19, 2014. Photo: VINO
Virgin Gorda's Easter Festiville opened on Saturday April 19, 2014. Photo: VINO
Virgin Gorda's Easter Festiville opened on Saturday April 19, 2014. Photo: VINO
Virgin Gorda's Easter Festiville opened on Saturday April 19, 2014. Photo: VINO
Virgin Gorda's Easter Festiville opened on Saturday April 19, 2014. Photo: VINO
VALLEY, Virgin Gorda, VI - When Ms Grace Vanterpool cut the ribbon to signal the official opening of the Festiville that is named in her honour, she was not going to let the opportunity pass to get on the dance floor and her partner to do so was Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn.

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.

16 Responses to “2014 VG Festiville has grand opening ceremony!”

  • cat (20/04/2014, 11:40) Like (12) Dislike (17) Reply
    myron better enjoy his last dane on the public purse
  • Teacher Bev (20/04/2014, 11:59) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Well Done,and Congrats to the young and energectic Virgin Gorda Festival Committee,Excellent in all the activities that were held during the season,keep up the great and marvellous work,Sasha aka Sashi Flax,you will be the chairlady for many more years to come,God Bless You and the team.
  • a proud bvislander (20/04/2014, 16:04) Like (11) Dislike (12) Reply
    What a lovely photo of Minister Walywan and Mrs Vanterpool dancing. It is worth a million smiles. Thank you so much.......
    • @ a proud bvislander (20/04/2014, 18:45) Like (13) Dislike (17) Reply
      It still not going save he next elections both he and the NDP MUST GO!!!!
  • . (20/04/2014, 18:53) Like (0) Dislike (12) Reply
    that's his step granny?
  • VG (21/04/2014, 07:39) Like (5) Dislike (13) Reply
    If u all don't kno VG will reelect honorable Walwin he is real people
    • fat girl (21/04/2014, 10:30) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
      myron aint fooling a soul and nobody studying he nor he dancing we will not be fool again...I hug him yesterday and say 'you are doing a good job' when i left I told my friend never will I vote for he again
  • Caribbean Queen (21/04/2014, 10:09) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Congratulations Ms. Gracie. Well done to the committee.
  • tola (21/04/2014, 11:39) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
    VG festival was the worst this year all that money could have been used for Tola 60th. It was wack
    • @ tola (21/04/2014, 13:15) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      A real deal finally been told
    • Saturday Night Lame (22/04/2014, 15:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      The performance by Showtime was terrible on Saturday Night. I wasted my money leaving Tola on Saturday but I enjoyed the Wet Fet and the band Vibe who was on stage Sunday when I went back up. Jugu know how to entertain. Hats off to ago Jugu
  • one eye (21/04/2014, 14:11) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    I saw a young man in the ju Vay with an ndp must go shirt
  • urgly man (22/04/2014, 03:56) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Look at the dance beauty and the beast!!
  • water boy (24/04/2014, 16:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Look that snake trying to play politics with the old people


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