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Funds needed to consider relocating Xmas on DeCastro St- City Manager

City Manager Janice Brathwaite-Edwards has said Christmas on DeCastro Street being relocated is not out of the question but funds would be needed. Photo: VINO
Mostly taxi operators are not pleased that roads have to be blocked off to facilitate Christmas on DeCastro Street. Photo: VINO
Mostly taxi operators are not pleased that roads have to be blocked off to facilitate Christmas on DeCastro Street. Photo: VINO
Many vendors also complained that Christmas on DeCastro Street did not yield much business for them. Photo: VINO
Many vendors also complained that Christmas on DeCastro Street did not yield much business for them. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- While moving the annual Christmas on DeCastro Street is not a farfetched concept, City Manager Janice Brathwaite-Edwards says some funds will be needed to be injected into the event for it to be considered.

Brathwaite-Edwards’ remarks came following calls from some sections of society to have the event moved from its present location to the Tortola Pier Park, the Carnival Village or back to Main Street.

Many felt that it was too much of an inconvenience with the road blocking, while others grumbled that the adult entertainment was lacking terribly.

In an interview with the City Manager, she said moving would be difficult.

“To move it for us right now would be difficult now that I am doing Christmas bells in the city where we are trying to have something every weekend. If we move Christmas on DeCastro Street I don’t know where we would put it,” She said.

“If people want to change it they will have to inject some funds into it and it is maybe something we can consider but right now when we have to look for sponsorship and have to look for funds ourselves it is kind of difficult.”

Christmas on DeCastro Street too early

Meantime another concern was the dates being too early in the season to host the event. Some felt that it should be closer to Christmas. This is how she addressed that concern.

“There are two things that happen. The lighting of the Christmas tree happens the last weekend in November, which basically signals the beginning of Christmas. Christmas on DeCastro Street has been the first weekend in December, to allow for Christmas in Spanish Town next week so that’s why. People have said to us you all need to bring it a little closer to Christmas and it is very difficult to do that, especially when you booking bands and what have you,” she explained.

She mentioned that some felt the event should be a day longer but it is a costly undertaking for them as some $80,000 is needed to present it at the level that it is currently.

18 Responses to “Funds needed to consider relocating Xmas on DeCastro St- City Manager”

  • now (11/12/2016, 10:47) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    You making sense, Jan. Listen to the people. One man/woman does not make an Island.
    • A we thing (11/12/2016, 11:28) Like (11) Dislike (5) Reply
      Main Street Is History.. This event has out grown main Street.. It's now too big for main Street..Nothing is wrong with the present location.. Just better organization and planning. Any where we put it. We will need public cooperation and understanding..
  • main street blues (11/12/2016, 10:54) Like (10) Dislike (4) Reply
    Move Jan and the NDP and things will be allright
  • street reporter. (11/12/2016, 11:10) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    Funds can be raised if it's organized properly.. Find people who are good at organizing. Organizing is a Skill. A special talent. A gift. At present the organization is Poor. Hence the public back lash.
    • RAISE FUNDS!!! (12/12/2016, 09:21) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      Everyone sits and waits for Government to dish out money to them as if the Government is a goldmine. There is a committee for "Christmas on Main Street/DeCastro Street" have a meeting, share ideas for fund raisers and move forward in bring same to fruition. Stop waiting on Government to do everything.
  • Get Real (11/12/2016, 11:21) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    Everyone have too high expectations and are living beyond their means. Belts need to be tightened to prepare for the deep recession thats coming to these islands not expect more funding.
  • My Input. (11/12/2016, 11:57) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
    I think we should Rotate this event. Give everyone in Road Town a piece of the pie each year. My next Suggested location would be the parking lot opposite pussers putting the entertainment stage next to ice cream parlor close to the Sea facing Craft alive.. Let Vendors utilize the nice Sea fill land to the left of craft alive.. That's my input.
  • questions (11/12/2016, 12:00) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Here are my questions... Move to where. And Why the move and why does it take money to move. Why would the new location would be better?.. Maybe a new committee is what needed. But in this place people like to hold on power..
  • ONEBVI (11/12/2016, 13:41) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    We become bigger than this next if God spare or lives , we can put it in the festival ground that way it would not upstruck traffic. Doesn't that make sense than we can do fundraising from early . Come let's bring back the BVI to where it should be.
  • wize up (11/12/2016, 14:00) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Put the thing in the festival village or the park
  • W*F (11/12/2016, 14:37) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why would it need money to move? Under this administration everything is Money. How much did it cost to move it from Main Street to De Castro St.?
  • stupid (11/12/2016, 17:01) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    since people don't appreciate nothing it's always something not right with this or that just scrap the whole damn thing now that is the feeling of Christmas in the bvi ... which done dead already
  • just asking (11/12/2016, 17:41) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    did any one send Jan the memo that the NDP left the country broke?
    • wize up (11/12/2016, 22:48) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ just asking: not every thing you hear good to talk; how can the country be broke and still give that airline 10 million of your tax dollars: remember the million dollar political wall and the 84 million cruise project:lack of accountability is a better word(these guys just got 25 million overdraft)..there is a few dollars out there still but who getting it is the big question!!!!
  • hey (11/12/2016, 17:50) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    From last year we were suggesting to put it on the road behind admin complex.
  • Guest (12/12/2016, 10:48) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    I think the pier park will be a great locations for this kind of event next year. I am sure that if planned right, it wouldn't cost more than the usual budget. Plus the other shops at the pier park can stay open in the evening too which can create more choices, income and an overall good shopping experience. I think that the pier park and the city planning should work hand in hand to make this possible.
  • Hmm (12/12/2016, 11:26) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    put it at back of complex planty parkig and dirt back there for parking
  • Deh Watcha (12/12/2016, 17:07) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    This will soon end up like the music fest. History


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