UPDATE: A Lobster Fest Village in Anegada among early ideas for 2014
It was a view that was also supported by a few of the restaurant owners who participated in the 'lobster tester' as well as many patrons of the event.
The participating restaurants spanned across the reaches of the island. Four of them were located on the beach front at Setting Point in close proximity to each other while the other four were miles apart in the outlying reaches of the island. This, according to several persons, was the weak point of the activity this year.
"The thing is for everyone to make a dollar in a fair square way and that did not happen at all. Some people had a massive number of people while other sucked salt," said one patron. "With the kind of people (number of people) that come over there, every last one of the businesses would have had a better situation," he added.
The festival was described as an activity which saw the most popular 'spreading their wing' while others had the 'devil's job' to ensure that their products were sold out.
"I am not saying that this year was not a good try but it could be much better because some of us couldn't afford the cost to bring a music set or a band and people love music. If you don't have one of the popular bands, no way, people wouldn't crowd your place," said one restaurant owner.
Mr Cladius Sam of Potters by the Sea said come Lobster Festival 2014 he would love for the BVITB to strongly consider the idea of a village. "I know that would be a costly thing to bring a stage, bands and possibly some international artistes but it's something that we can all work together on and make it happen."
He said, however, this year was evident that the success of such an event does not require the presence of any overseas artistes. "Having that is not a bad idea but it's not necessary. Let us use that money, collaborate with the ferry or a ship to bring over the stage or some wooden material and build a strong one. Have all the participating restaurant owners come together and foot the costs for sponsoring DJs, bands and local artistes and this thing could be a bang... it could be, it could be," Sam stressed.
The concern of having all involved put the taxi drivers in the spotlight as well. "Oh boy the taxi drivers couldn't complain at all this year, they just couldn't but I think that even with the village they would still be able to make some good dollars. What the tourist board would have to do, along with us out here, is develop a catch that would see people going to the restaurants and resorts that are far out and the taxi will still make their money," one concerned businessman stated.
The idea of a village was shared with the BVI Tourist Board's Lobster Festival coordinators led by Mr Rhodni Skelton at a community meeting a few weeks prior to the staging of the event. The meeting was called to share with the general committee, ideas which could have been implemented to allow everyone to cash in on influx of persons that were anticipated to attend.
Due to alleged miscommunication only a few restaurant owners and taxi driver turned up at that meeting. The idea of a village was one that Mr Skelton had acknowledged to have been a good one but had explained the time was too short to change plans and also that the budget was already exhausted to the greater extent.
According to Skelton, having the village would be a costly direction but had stated that it is one to be considered for the future. He had also stated that the BVITB does not want to be seen as the owner/controller of the event but rather said that it should be coordinated by the people of Anegada with the support of BVITB.
The BVITB Lobster Festival 2013 coordinating committee is expected to report on this year's activity in "short order".
See previous article posted December 1, 2013
UPDATE: ‘Big Bamboo’ pulls the crowd at Anegada Lobster Festival 2013
SETTING POINT, Anegada, VI- A quick survey of the eight restaurants that registered for this inaugural Anegada Lobster Festival 2013 saw Big Bamboo pulling the largest crowd as it is popularly recognized as the biggest ‘lunch centre’ on the sister island.
“Most times we send customers to Big Bamboo for lunch,” said Claudius Sam of Potters by the Sea.
This is not to suggest other restaurants were not supported as individual tours to the remaining seven restaurants saw no less than twenty patrons at any one time. Further, the large number of persons seen with at least five beaded chains was evidence that patrons did shop and support more than one restaurant.
Despite the fact that there were only eight restaurants registered to participate in the lobster testing, other places of interest were not left out of the promotion by the BVI tourist Board. The participating restaurants this year are Cow Wreck, Anegada Beach Resort, Big Bamboo, Flash of Beauty, Potters By the Sea, Anegada Reef Hotel, Lobster Trap and Whistling Pines.
Places of interest highlighted were Nesting Flaming, Faulkner House of Museum, conch shell mounds and The Bridge.
Speaking with Virgin Islands News Online, Mr Sam said holding the event in the fashion it was done should be taken as a tester to better inform decisions for 2014. “I am excited about what I am seeing, I am seeing something that is going to be very big from here on, that much I am sure of,” he said with confidence.
Potters by the Sea was the first stop for most persons who arrived on the island via ferry service yesterday, November 30, 2013 and the welcome was nothing for one to turn away from. The warm and friendly staff were complimented with the inviting mixture of musical entertainment and most of all the sight of a long line of lobsters all wrapped in foil paper ready for the grill.
“The secret to our unique flavour to the lobster meal is our special garlic butter sauce, there is no one on the planet that makes that type of sauce like Potters by the Sea, so I can’t tell you,” said Sam in a very jovial note.
Over at Big Bamboo it was the chase to grab a table first. “Wow I tell you missy this is such a nice place and just look those lobsters on those plates,” said Tolsted Monkhouse, a visitor from St Thomas. He said it was his first trip to the Virgin Islands, let alone Anegada.
“We (himself and several friends) were coming here for some time away for the daily grind since earlier this year but one day I heard of this Lobster Fest on the radio and we decided that we were going to come for that and here we are.” Monkhouse and his friends were among several waiting to grab a table to ‘go down’ on a plate of lobster.
“In the mean time we going to have the testers but that’s not enough we got to get that whole thing. We want that that big whole lobster on our plate man, see what I mean,” said the obviously excited man.
That was the case of many others.
Management and staff member’s hands at Big Bamboo were not enough but they were complimented for doing a very good job. “I like this so much and want to see more of this kind of thing here. Activities like these will definitely bring things more to the light of this wonderful island here,” said Irene E. Potter.
The excitement at Big Bamboo was complimented by the live musical performances by Showtime Band.
At most of the other participating restaurants, especially those in the far out reaches of the island, it was a much soft, family and friends setting.
As the sun went down most persons headed toward the restaurants to the beach front area at Setting Point where ‘the party’ started. While persons traveling on the one ferry had no choice but to leave at 6 P.M., those who had their rooms booked, those who were prepared to party the night out, kept the island ignited and paving the way for those geared to take on the enjoyment today, December 1, 2013.
See previous article posted November 30, 2013
Lobester Festival 2013 opens in Anegada
-Participating restaurants pleased with support
The 2013 Anegada Lobster Festival opened today, November 30 with much anticipation and excitement on the sister island of Anegada.
Persons arrived on the island by various means, including chartered yachts and aircrafts. They toured the eight participating restaurants where sample lobsters were nothing but inviting.
Persons who purchased samples of lobster were given beaded chains and also presented with special gift bags from the BVI Tourist Board (BVITB).
Restaurant owners were very excited from the onset and were pleased with the support so far. They, however, have higher expectations for tomorrow, the final day.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr The Honourable Kedrick D. Pickering was the lone government official spotted at the festival today.
29 Responses to “UPDATE: A Lobster Fest Village in Anegada among early ideas for 2014”
how all the pics is that of Big Bambu? is he a NDP supporter?
Board. Let us all just give God thanks and stop the vip and ndp foolishness. We are all God's people.
And I love the fact that they actually ate
Cow Wreck could not carry the load for the amount of young people who partied to DJ Push Pop on Sunday.
Having a Village will take the uniqueness out of it. I enjoyed hopping from restaurant to restaurant to eat and collect beads. I enjoyed the experience of being in their environment. It is a unique setting and I hope that it is maintained. Businesses will become more creative in maintaining their crowd. Kudos to Rodney Skelton and his crew, they worked really hard. Anegada Reef you was mass, I enjoyed the setting.
Ok after two years the tb did one thing you all going beat this to death
It was unique and that is what I like about it. I like the hopping from one place to another to sample lobster dishes, dance, chat etc. There will never be 100% happy about anything, but I feel that the format is good and only neds a little tweaking here and there. Other restaurants now need to step up their game and advertise. Have something special, people will come.