The official opening takes place on Monday July 28th which begins with a torch light procession starting at 7 pm from the Palm Grove Shopping Center to the Festival Village for the opening ceremony at 8 pm. Photo: VINO/File

This year there will be twenty five (25) food Vendors providing delicious local cuisine and thirteen (13) vendors with various goods like toys for the kids etc. Cooney Island will also soon be in place with many fun rides for the entire family.

The official opening takes place on Monday July 28th which begins with a torch light procession starting at 7pm from the Palm Grove Shopping Center to the Festival Village for the opening ceremony at 8pm.

This weekend will be a busy one for the Committee starting on Friday July 18th with a street tramp and parking lot Jam starting at 9pm from Beach Club Terrace to Road Town Wholesale Parking lot, Pasea Estate.

On the road will be the 2013 Road March Champs Showtime. Lots to eat and drink as a massive crowd turnout is expected that will build up the excitement for the jam pack 60th celebration festivities.

On Saturday July 19th the Miss BVI Contestants will be presenting the famous Promotional and Interview segment at the Eileen Parson Auditoria, H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC). The day will also feature a ‘Mix and Mingle’ starting at 6:30pm with local drinks and treats, showtime starting at 8pm. This segment will be judged and the point carries over to the show on August 3rd. Contestant will be competing in Personal Interview (100) Professional Attire (50) and BVI Promotion (90) This is a segment not to be missed. Tickets are $10.00 each.

The Soca Monarch Competition take place on Friday July 25 at the Iris Freeman Festiville starting at 8pm. There will be 16 competitors; 8 in the groovy section and 8 in the Power section. The winner of the Soca Monarch will perform on August 2nd on the International Soca Explosion along with the local calypso Monarch, Chalk Dust, Carimi,Poorsa, The Razor Blades, Glama Gurl, Mr. Chucky, Skinny Fabulous and VIBE.

The Local Calypso competition is one of the events not to be missed this year. Wednesday July 30th Sista Joyce will be defending her crown against Luther B, Shereen, Mighty Leh Leh, King Henry, Princess Didi, King Paido, King Macko, Falco and Oginga. Guest Artist Shabz and Mighty Rocky with special guest artist Land Crab and coming out from retirement for the 60th Lawd Strawn.

The annual food fair will be on Friday August 1st at the Noel Lloyd Park where thirteen Vendors will be selling delicious lunch as well as pastries and local drinks. There will be music by Razor Blades, dancing, storytelling and other performances. Be there for the opening ceremony which begins at noon.

The Water sports promises to be a fun filled event. Tuesday’s Rise and Shine takes you to the Queens Elizabeth Park where there will be lots to eat and free bush tea. Activities such as catching a Grease Pig, Grease Pole both Vertical and Horizontal, swimming, diving, kayaking, Hot Dog Eating Contest, Water Bikes, Paddle Boats, Entertainment by Heritage Dancers and Plait pole and the Sky Dancers.

The Grand colorful Parade is one to look forward too, with over 60 entries this year the Committee chairperson Mr. Trefor Grant is stressing the important of an ‘on time’ start, troop participants are urge to make their way to the starting point no later than 10am for an 11am start. “We have to give consideration to the hundreds of spectators waiting to see the entries so we will do our very best for the on time start,” Mr Grant insists.