The Virgin Gorda Easter Festival was launched earlier today April 1, 2014. Photo: VINO

New route has been instituted for Virgin Gorda Rise and Shine tramp. Photo: VINO/file

The Virgin Gorda Festiville has been named for Ms Grace Vanterpool, a person said to be one of the most prominent faces and features of the 47 years of celebration of the island. Photo: Provided.

Miss Gorgeous Contestant #1:Sharlene David. Photo: Provided

Miss Gorgeous Contestant #2: Donalin Michel. Photo: Provided

Miss Gorgeous Contestant #3: Sash Mckie. Photo: Provided

For many years the tramp started from the Festival Ground in Spanish Town immediately after the international show.

This issue was brought to the attention of members of the VGEFC. The committee indicated that they have deliberated on this concern and had made the conscious decision to have the route changed this year.

The business operators had stated that they support the events of the Virgin Gorda Easter Festival and invest to ensure its success but insisted that they should be given the opportunity to recover costs and even make a profit.

“Great News! We have decided to change the route of our Rise and Shine Tramp! The new route will begin at the HLSCC Virgin Gorda campus parking lot and end at the festival grounds! Action kicks off @ 4:30am sharp,” said Mr Jerrell A. George, Public Relations Officer for the Committee.

Chairman of the Committee Ms Sasha Flax had indicated that the tramp this year would have some new features, some to be surprises. One that she did reveal was the Party Truck which sees a combination of most of the leading bands in the Virgin Islands all as one, sharing time entertaining revelers.

See previous story published April 1, 2014:

VG Easter Festival named in honour of Grace Vanterpool

- Killa to kick start Grace Vanterpool’s Festiville first night of fundraisers

VALLEY, Virgin Gorda, VI – Earlier today Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn, several members of the BVI Festival and Fairs Committee led by its Chairman Mr Marvin ‘MB’ Blyden and the BVI Tourist Board led by Director Ms Sharon Flax-Mars were all in one room at a simple ceremony to launch the Virgin Gorda Easter Festival 2014.

It was at that ceremony that it was announced by Hon Walwyn that the festival has been named for Ms Grace Vanterpool, a person he said has been one of the most prominent faces and features of the 47 years of celebration of the Island.

The VG festival Committee in rolling out the list of activities for the Festival this year confirmed that a performance featuring the Rolly Polly sensation Mr Killa is among the activities this weekend that kick start the celebrations.

Mr Killa will be the feature artist at Club Ecstasy following the Ms Gorgeous Pageant which is on Saturday April 5, 2014, at the Catholic Community Centre. The pageant which is said to be one of a Red Carpet nature will feature three of Virgin Gorda’s beauties. “This is going to be an evening of class and we want everyone to come out from all corners of the Territory and support the girls.”

Ms Flax-Mars also confirmed that the committee is currently working with the same budget of $100k as last year which will see them covering costs including those for some five international artists, Mr Killa, Skinny Fabulous, Tallpree, Onyan and the Burning Flames and Fyah Empress.

Of several new initiatives that the committee is working to implement will be that of the ‘Party Tuck’ for Jouvert morning. This Ms Flax said will see some of the VI’s best entertainers coming together on one jam truck to entertain the troupes along the route.

She told reporters that later today the committee is expected to meet with some key stakeholders to discuss the possibilities of having the Jouvert fete start from the streets as opposed to the Festiville ground. This was a major concern of a number of business persons who had expressed that the activity should be held in a fashion as to give them some business as the troupes move along the route.

Pledging their fullest support for the Virgin Gorda Easter Festival Director of the BVI Tourist Board Ms Sharon Flax-Mars said that persons entering via the main ferry port for the various activities would enjoy the initiative of a wine and treats from the welcoming party that would be stationed at the ferry dock.

All those present spoke very highly of the young team that has taken on the mantle of ensuring that the festival is one of class this year. Minister Walwyn also thanked the previous chairman Mr Rupert Vanterpool for his input prior to resigning.

Contestant #1: Sharlene David, of Harrigan Estate, Tortola

Age: 21 years. Occupation: Clerical Officer
Community Service: Youth Leader – East End Methodist Youth Fellowship
3 Words that describe you: Creative, Inquisitive, & Adventurous
Special Talents: Dancing, Reading & Sailing
Favourite Sports: N/A
Career Goals: Special Education Elementary Teacher
Life Ambitions: Certified in Human Resources & an Entrepreneur

Contestant #2: Donalin Michel
Residence: Road Town, Tortola
Age: 27 years
Occupation: Executive Officer
Community Service: N/A
3 Words that describe you: Kind-hearted, Hardworking, and Patient
Special Talents: Dancing, Spending time w/family and shopping
Favourite Sports: Basketball
Career Goals/Life Ambitions: Prominent Psychologist


Contestant #3: Sasha McKie
Residence: The Valley, Virgin Gorda
Age: 24 years
Occupation: Cashier
Community Service: Rotaract Club
3 Words that describe you: Helpful, Sociable & Outgoing
Special Talents: Travelling & Shopping
Favourite Sports: Basketball
Career Goals/Life Ambitions: Attend College/Flight Attendant