Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

No knives & guns @ Festival – Honouree Iris Freeman

-Torchlight parade ushers in official start of 60th Festival with Premier Smith hinting @ holding Govt’ Office for a few more years.
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon D. Orlando Smith led the 1st candlelight parade last night to usher in the official opening of the 60th Festival. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th Festival official opening ceremony July 28, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th Festival official opening ceremony July 28, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th Festival official opening ceremony July 28, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th Festival official opening ceremony July 28, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th Festival official opening ceremony July 28, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th Festival official opening ceremony July 28, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th Festival official opening ceremony July 28, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th Festival official opening ceremony July 28, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th Festival official opening ceremony July 28, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th Festival official opening ceremony July 28, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th Festival official opening ceremony July 28, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th Festival official opening ceremony July 28, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th Festival official opening ceremony July 28, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th Festival official opening ceremony July 28, 2014. Photo: VINO
These ladies were performing a dance routine during the 60th Festival official opening ceremony July 28, 2014. Photo: VINO
These ladies were performing a dance routine during the 60th Festival official opening ceremony July 28, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th Festival official opening ceremony July 28, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th Festival official opening ceremony July 28, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th Festival official opening ceremony July 28, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th Festival official opening ceremony July 28, 2014. Photo: VINO
Live musical entertainment from Zion Sounds. Photo: VINO
Live musical entertainment from Zion Sounds. Photo: VINO
Playing from the back of the truck. Photo: VINO
Playing from the back of the truck. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th Festival official opening ceremony July 28, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th Festival official opening ceremony July 28, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th Festival official opening ceremony July 28, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th Festival official opening ceremony July 28, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th Festival official opening ceremony July 28, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th Festival official opening ceremony July 28, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th Festival official opening ceremony July 28, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th Festival official opening ceremony July 28, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th Festival official opening ceremony July 28, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th Festival official opening ceremony July 28, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th Festival official opening ceremony July 28, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th Festival official opening ceremony July 28, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th Festival official opening ceremony July 28, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th Festival official opening ceremony July 28, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th Festival official opening ceremony July 28, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th Festival official opening ceremony July 28, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th Festival official opening ceremony July 28, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th Festival official opening ceremony July 28, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th Festival official opening ceremony July 28, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th Festival official opening ceremony July 28, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th Festival official opening ceremony July 28, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th Festival official opening ceremony July 28, 2014. Photo: VINO
Iris Freeman seated on the stage. With her are 5th District Representative Hon Dolores Christopher. Photo: VINO
Iris Freeman seated on the stage. With her are 5th District Representative Hon Dolores Christopher. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th Festival official opening ceremony July 28, 2014. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th Festival official opening ceremony July 28, 2014. Photo: VINO
On the truck. Photo: VINO
On the truck. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th festival torch light parade. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th festival torch light parade. Photo: VINO
More Fungi music live at the torchlight parade. Photo: VINO
More Fungi music live at the torchlight parade. Photo: VINO
The band performing for the crowd. Photo: VINO
The band performing for the crowd. Photo: VINO
Zion Sounds playing at the torchlight parade. Photo: VINO
Zion Sounds playing at the torchlight parade. Photo: VINO
This couple, obviously tourists, were enjoying the local music of Four Strong as they out-shined locals who stood like brick walls. Photo: VINO
This couple, obviously tourists, were enjoying the local music of Four Strong as they out-shined locals who stood like brick walls. Photo: VINO
Hot in Black, this these dancers add to the flare of the opening night of the Iris Freeman 60th Emancipation celebrations Festiville. Photo: VINO
Hot in Black, this these dancers add to the flare of the opening night of the Iris Freeman 60th Emancipation celebrations Festiville. Photo: VINO
The Four Strong Band keeping the Fungi music of the VI alive even as they performed at the opening night of the 2014 Festival of the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO
The Four Strong Band keeping the Fungi music of the VI alive even as they performed at the opening night of the 2014 Festival of the Virgin Islands. Photo: VINO
Virgin Islander Mr Henry O. Creque and his family during the candlelight parade. Photo: VINO
Virgin Islander Mr Henry O. Creque and his family during the candlelight parade. Photo: VINO
Persons of all ages, even babies were part of the candlelight parade. Photo: VINO
Persons of all ages, even babies were part of the candlelight parade. Photo: VINO
The melodious and strong voice of Little Afyah Frett echoed throughout Tortola as she did the Territorial Song attracting loud applause. Photo: VINO
The melodious and strong voice of Little Afyah Frett echoed throughout Tortola as she did the Territorial Song attracting loud applause. Photo: VINO
Long serving Virgin Islander, Ms Iris Freeman, held the #6 booth in the Road Town Festiville was the Honouree for this year and begged that there be no walking with knives and guns this year. Photo: VINO
Long serving Virgin Islander, Ms Iris Freeman, held the #6 booth in the Road Town Festiville was the Honouree for this year and begged that there be no walking with knives and guns this year. Photo: VINO
The BVI Festivals and Fairs Committee's Public Relations Officer Ms Lynette L. Harrigan was among those enjoying the candlelight parade from start to finish. Photo: VINO
The BVI Festivals and Fairs Committee's Public Relations Officer Ms Lynette L. Harrigan was among those enjoying the candlelight parade from start to finish. Photo: VINO
A patron at the torchlight parade. Photo: VINO
A patron at the torchlight parade. Photo: VINO
Premier Smith greeting persons along the way. Photo: VINO
Premier Smith greeting persons along the way. Photo: VINO
The truck that ferried the band during the parade. Photo: VINO
The truck that ferried the band during the parade. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th festival torch light parade. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th festival torch light parade. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th festival torch light parade. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th festival torch light parade. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th festival torch light parade. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th festival torch light parade. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th festival torch light parade. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th festival torch light parade. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th festival torch light parade. Photo: VINO
Scene from 60th festival torch light parade. Photo: VINO
This woman had two torches. Photo: VINO
This woman had two torches. Photo: VINO
The parade on the move. Photo: VINO
The parade on the move. Photo: VINO
More persons with their torches held aloft. Photo: VINO
More persons with their torches held aloft. Photo: VINO
A woman with her torch at 60th Festival torchlight parade. Photo: VINO
A woman with her torch at 60th Festival torchlight parade. Photo: VINO
The Premier holding his torch high as he made his way along the route. Photo: VINO
The Premier holding his torch high as he made his way along the route. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Amidst very brief remarks by the political leaders at last night’s official opening ceremony for the 60th Festival celebrations, Honouree of the Road Town Festiville Ms. Iris Freeman had a very straight appeal to persons who were going to be in attendance throughout.

“I want you, when you come the village the night, just put your money in your pockets, don’t walk with knives and guns. Let us have a safe and a pleasant Festival. God Bless you all,” said Ms Freeman.

The official opening ceremony was ushered in with a brilliant candlelight parade which started from Water Front Drive to the Iris Freeman Festival. The band Zion Sounds were on the leading truck. The Chairman for the evening's programme was Stewart Donovan.

At slow pace a sizable group of residents held their torches and danced and pranced through the streets all the way to the Festival Ground and were joined by others along the way. The parade was led by Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith who obviously was having a great time as he hugged and greeted persons on the way.

Once on stage at the opening ceremony he did admit to what a great time it was prancing through the streets in the torchlight parade as it brought back savoured memories. “That was great, I really enjoyed it,” said Premier Smith.

Premier Smith, like the others who spoke including Honourable Minister for Communications and Works Mark H. Vanterpool, Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn and Chairman of the BVI Festivals and Fairs Committee Mr Marvin “MB” Blyden congratulated the committees of present and past for their contributions for the 60 years of staging Festival.

But especially to Mr Blyden Premier Smith had these words, “I want to at this time give a special shout out to the Chairman of this Festival Committee Mr Marvin Blyden. Now I hear that you plan to retire sometime soon but I plan to have a few more years in the game and I want you to be here, right here with me, if you understand what that mean.”

In his congratulations to his team and those of the past Mr Blyden said that he will be closing his eyes to the ‘naysayers’.

The opening night was one that was firstly blessed with the melodious voice of little Afyah Frett, Princess 2014, as she pulled some unexpected notes in doing the Territorial song. There were performances by the Fungi band ‘Four Strong’, VIBE, and international artiste Destra.

The activities continue today at the Iris Freeman Festiville with the highlight being the Youth Explosion.

7 Responses to “No knives & guns @ Festival – Honouree Iris Freeman”

  • De Friday Girls (29/07/2014, 09:07) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Congrats Mom .... we love you
  • x factor (29/07/2014, 09:11) Like (9) Dislike (11) Reply
    Look at deeds NDP cowbirds trying to be in ting!!!
    • Celebration (29/07/2014, 10:37) Like (15) Dislike (2) Reply
      Put a sock it in. This is not about politics but our emancipation. Get with the program and be a part of it or watch on as we celebrate.
  • ccc (29/07/2014, 18:58) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    For some reason I am not feeling this festival
    • TALK THAT (29/07/2014, 23:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      You are not alone many of us are not others just turn off my the ndp politics
  • Voters (29/07/2014, 21:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    poor dr smith
  • Lucky (30/07/2014, 08:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    aleast they are bring this type of positive to the people of the BVI. But the youth people and adult to are still going to do the same stupidness that you are trying to pretend them from doing.


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.