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VG Easter Festival parade flops

- a total of 15 troupes/entries seen; gets going one hour after scheduled starting time
It was a disappointing day for those who braved the sun to come out to the 49th Virgin Gorda Easter Festival parade yesterday March 28, 2017 in Spanish Town Virgin Gorda. Photo: VINO
The honouree of this year's Virgin Gorda Easter Festival Franka A. Pickering during the parade yesterday March 28, 2016. Photo: VINO
The honouree of this year's Virgin Gorda Easter Festival Franka A. Pickering during the parade yesterday March 28, 2016. Photo: VINO
Whining up on de truck! Photo: VINO
Whining up on de truck! Photo: VINO
A Latino troupe was not to be outdone as its members danced the Salsa and Merengue in the streets. Photo: VINO
A Latino troupe was not to be outdone as its members danced the Salsa and Merengue in the streets. Photo: VINO
The New Royal Festival Ensemble performing their routines to the sound of VIBE. Photo: VINO
The New Royal Festival Ensemble performing their routines to the sound of VIBE. Photo: VINO
New VG Festival Calypso Monarch Roland O. Vieira aka Chico B performing his title winning songs for the crowd. Photo: VINO
New VG Festival Calypso Monarch Roland O. Vieira aka Chico B performing his title winning songs for the crowd. Photo: VINO
Sky dancers in formation! Photo: VINO
Sky dancers in formation! Photo: VINO
More sky dancers who were among the main attractions at the Festivl parade. Photo: VINO
More sky dancers who were among the main attractions at the Festivl parade. Photo: VINO
The younger performers of the New Royal Festival Ensemble. Photo: VINO
The younger performers of the New Royal Festival Ensemble. Photo: VINO
Sky dancers taking a bow after an awesome performance. Photo: VINO
Sky dancers taking a bow after an awesome performance. Photo: VINO
A section of the onlookers to the parade. Photo: VINO
A section of the onlookers to the parade. Photo: VINO
Members of the 'Spanish' troupe dancing in the parade. Photo: VINO
Members of the 'Spanish' troupe dancing in the parade. Photo: VINO
SPANISH TOWN, Virgin Gorda, VI - It was a disappointing day for those who braved the scorching sun to make it to the 49th Virgin Gorda Easter Festival parade yesterday March 28, 2016 in Spanish Town Virgin Gorda.

While a fair number of persons turned up for the parade, which made its way from the starting point of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College- Virgin Gorda Campus all the way to the Franka A. Pickering Festiville for a concert later in the evening, the participation in the parade itself was noticably poor.

As expected the parade did not start until just over an hour of the scheduled start time of 2:00 pm. But once it got underway, persons did not have much to see.

With just 15 floats and troupes participating in the parade, once it got started it ended very quickly as the parade proceeded to the Festival Grounds.

However, those that did show up put on a great show for the crowds and the sky dancers were especially entertaining.

Holding back for 50th VG Festival?

Speaking to this news site following the parade, Public Relations Officer of the Virgin Gorda Festival Sub-Committee Jerrell A. George said the turnout reflected what might be a desire to participate in the 50th Virgin Gorda Easter Festival in 2017 and hence the low participation this year.

“I think we got about the same number of troupes as last year...some people are waiting on the 50th anniversary next year and they decided to sit out this year’s parade,” said George.

George also said the results for the float parade should be ready by Wednesday March 30, 2016.

This year’s Virgin Gorda Easter Fest has been plagued by cutbacks by the Government who was slow in giving the Sub-Committee its initial funds to get preparations for Virgin Gorda Easter Festival 2016 in place.

This year saw no Miss Easter Festival and no Miss Gorgeous. There was also no Prince and Princess competition due to the downscaling of the festival due to limited funds.

The musical acts from overseas were severely reduced as Government decided the overseas acts were taking up too much of money upon consideration of the issue in the deliberations of the Standing Finance Committee.

One observer told this news site that during the three days of the VG Festival he has been noticing mostly persons from Tortola in the crowds as it seems the persons from VG have skipped the celebrations.

This news site can attest to seeing the ferries being filled to capacity from the Tortola side as persons tried to get to the sister island, and in at least one instance persons had to be left behind to wait an hour and a half until the next ferry.

20 Responses to “VG Easter Festival parade flops”

  • WAS THERE (29/03/2016, 09:39) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    I had like the bunny Egg..That was Nice had the ears moving too.Who that person where ..should have hold out until the 50th..
  • l (29/03/2016, 09:41) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    How many of the troupes were from Tortola?
  • Peaches (29/03/2016, 10:00) Like (4) Dislike (9) Reply
    "This year’s Virgin Gorda Easter Fest has been plagued by cutbacks by the Government who was slow in giving the Sub-Committee its initial funds to get preparations for Virgin Gorda Easter Festival 2016 in place.

    This year saw no Miss Easter Festival and no Miss Gorgeous. There was also no Prince and Princess competition due to the downscaling of the festival due to limited funds." this is what their own Public Relations Officer said, but when VINO said the same things the wicked MVW said is was not so...he has become a desperate person
    • Umm (29/03/2016, 10:50) Like (25) Dislike (1) Reply
      Every year is the same thing!! Ok how about they raise the money them selves then?? Do jams, fish fries get young ladies to run in show ect !!!
  • The TRUTH (29/03/2016, 10:01) Like (30) Dislike (14) Reply
    People might get mad, but they need to cancel this dry s****. Pool all resources and have one large celebration on Tortola.
    • Never (29/03/2016, 11:46) Like (8) Dislike (14) Reply
      Why would we want to team up with Tortola!! May if ya'll Goverment will stop keeping the money to them selves it will be a great carnival!!! Carnival, festival is what you make it!! Soo you have seat with your mess!!
    • Observing (29/03/2016, 15:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Absolutely not.
  • wow (29/03/2016, 10:14) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    How embarrassing.
  • VG (29/03/2016, 10:17) Like (27) Dislike (2) Reply
    the people had no water to wash there ta to with so how you want them to come out?
  • wow (29/03/2016, 10:32) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    What's new....nothing to see here
  • bull shiggidy about the 50th (29/03/2016, 11:15) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    every year should be celebrated the same
  • @ VG (29/03/2016, 11:48) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    I agree!!! Virgin Gorda ain't had no water weekend!! It's very annoying!!!
  • missing in action (29/03/2016, 11:56) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    how come that politician wasn't in the spanish troupe?.... LOL
  • tretretrete (29/03/2016, 12:50) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply

    The VG festival committee needs to be revamped! The chairperson for VG needs to go! This was the worse festival ever in history! That's why after village I went home... Stop this mentality of waiting for government to do everything and start fundraising!!

  • PRESIDENT (29/03/2016, 14:49) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Please bring back Frankie and his old committee to revive the festival.
    • Yup (31/03/2016, 09:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Agreed completely. Sasha is wonderful but she's too young to be overseeing this committee. Frankie & his team did a fantastic job. We need to forget about politics and think about what's right for the community. If Frankie & his team is back you would see the difference.
  • vgman (29/03/2016, 15:05) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    we didn't have water for most of the weekend
  • Observing (29/03/2016, 15:10) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Seek the history about how Easter Festival was funded for the last 49 years. From which year did we become so dependent on Government ? I grew up attending Festival at St. Mary's School Grounds and then we relocated to the "Fire" Field, above the Market, by the area where the Administration Buildings are now located, and then to the Recreation Grounds, in that order. That is when the quality of Festival was of a higher standard.
  • Reacher (01/07/2016, 07:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good information. Lucky me I recently found your blog by accident (stumbleupon). I've saved as a favorite for late..eid mubarak messages


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