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‘Limit the use of flesh & feathers’ @ 2025 August Monday Parade- Opposition Leader

- said this would be in honour of the late cultural icon Eileene L. Parsons, OBE
The late legislator and cultural icon Eileene L. Parsons, OBE had always frowned upon the exposure of too much flesh at August Monday Parades. Photo: VINO/File
Ms Eileene L. Parsons, OBE (now deceased) was a guest on the July 30, 2023, edition of Real Talk with Karia J. Christopher when she voiced her disapproval of how the festival parade has evolved, particularly the costumes involved in the parade. Photo: Facebook/File
Ms Eileene L. Parsons, OBE (now deceased) was a guest on the July 30, 2023, edition of Real Talk with Karia J. Christopher when she voiced her disapproval of how the festival parade has evolved, particularly the costumes involved in the parade. Photo: Facebook/File
Opposition Leader Hon Myron V. Walwyn (R6) has called for persons participating in the 2025 August Monday Parade to be more modest in their costumes. Photo: YouTube
Opposition Leader Hon Myron V. Walwyn (R6) has called for persons participating in the 2025 August Monday Parade to be more modest in their costumes. Photo: YouTube
Back in 2023, the now deceased cultural icon, Ms Eileene L. Parsons, Obe, had said she was now embarrassed at what was being revealed at the August Monday Parade. Photo: VINO/File
Back in 2023, the now deceased cultural icon, Ms Eileene L. Parsons, Obe, had said she was now embarrassed at what was being revealed at the August Monday Parade. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Opposition Leader Honourable Myron V. Walwyn (R6) has called for persons participating in the 2025 August Monday Parade to be more modest in their costume selection.

Speaking at the Special Sitting of the House of Assembly (HoA) in honour of the late legislator and cultural icon Eileene L. Parsons, OBE, today, July 1, 2025, Hon Walwyn said this would be a means of paying respect to the late Parsons.

“Madam Speaker, with your permission, I just want to give a public service announcement to those persons who intend to be revellers in this upcoming parade, that they ought to limit the use of flesh and feathers.

“Ms Parsons may not be here in body, but she is certainly still here with us in spirit,” Hon Walwyn said.

Hon Walwyn was referencing comments made by Ms Parsons in July 2023 while a guest of Real Talk with Karia J. Christopher.

Ms Parsons had said, as a female of a different generation in the Virgin Islands, she was now embarrassed at what the Emancipation Festival had become, particularly the parade.

Feathers & flesh!

“Years ago, a reporter in Trinidad writing in a Trinidad newspaper said Trinidad Carnival had become nothing but feathers and flesh. This was a Trinidad reporter… Trinidad Carnival has become nothing but feathers and flesh. This is what has happened to us,” she said.

Ms Parsons had said the VI was no longer portraying a festival as it was and recalled being in Rio de Janeiro for carnival there as well as experiencing Mardi Gras in New Orleans. 

“The young ladies they have on practically nothing and this is what we are doing, and this is not what we the old people in 1954 wanted to see. We wanted to see something that speaks of festival, the emancipation that our ancestors came out of when it was proclaimed August 1st, 1834.”

Ms Parsons had said she was now embarrassed at what was being revealed at the August Monday Parade.

17 Responses to “‘Limit the use of flesh & feathers’ @ 2025 August Monday Parade- Opposition Leader”

  • (01/07/2025, 11:26) Like (23) Dislike (2) Reply
    Everybody saying the same things
  • In honor of Miss P (01/07/2025, 11:47) Like (9) Dislike (6) Reply
    We want to see the females wearing Frocks and Can Cans this year during the parade
  • Agree (01/07/2025, 12:00) Like (25) Dislike (7) Reply
    I agree with the Honourable Walwyn. The festival is so vulgar and distasteful...it makes no sense at all.
  • Herbs Powa (01/07/2025, 12:18) Like (13) Dislike (5) Reply
    Dancing in the sun ain't easy. One does get sweaty quick. Who never participate will talk from the side. Alot of clothes makes it worse because of the sweat. The talkers should Participate and experience Sunny dancing instead of running their mouths.
  • for real (01/07/2025, 12:26) Like (13) Dislike (2) Reply
    A little something but not that much. These days men don’t eat food that uncovered. If you meet you dinner uncovered on the table you won’t be hungry, you think it’s poisonous. Too da..m vulgar , like they for free.
  • agreed (01/07/2025, 12:29) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
    It is possible to keep cool, be attractive and yet be tasteful. Revellers can wear short outfits without parading in what is effectively underwear or virtually nothing. No one is asking anyone to wear Can Cans or anything designed to keep them hot. Let's use discretion -- we can be attractive and still tasteful.
  • maybe (01/07/2025, 12:32) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Have the parade at night and jouvet during the day??
  • WOW (01/07/2025, 12:39) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Just like the other jams, parties,etc this parade will flock also. I can't take my kids and my husband doesn't want to go anymore so I will stay home this year and all the rest. I will be throwing a Big house party everyone invited. Free drinks and food.
  • You crazy (01/07/2025, 13:31) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    That’s one of the reasons we come to the parade. Lol
  • not them (01/07/2025, 13:56) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    that ain happening

    and it if it did the vast majority going be upset lmfao

    but if it does happen it would be a thing to see! love it!

    criminals and low value men love the skin out and dirty wuk. plus the younger generation of females need something to look up to and forward to lol only to end up unmarried/single mothers later on in life sigh

    women would pick up dudes involved in these activities and think that man is a suitable person to breed for and he will be loyal and look to marry you and settle down later on in life .... clowns. expecting a fish not to swim and start walking on land at best
  • love island (01/07/2025, 13:59) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    some women need to show everyting to look good while others can look good covered up!
  • love island boyss (01/07/2025, 14:00) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    women love to dress half naked until their man is seen looking at scandalous woman! ouch!
  • DISAGREE (01/07/2025, 14:24) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Before colonialism the women were topless and our emancipated people are wearing jackets to bear AC following colonial fashion. Before sin Adam and eve were naked.
  • BRAD BOYNES (01/07/2025, 14:27) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply

    That nakedness is not Virgin Islands culture. Just like paint and powder in the Rise and shine J'ouvert is not our culture. The half nakedness is sickening and shameful public display that does not reflect what is actually being celebrated. The wutliss people in the community, and we have a lot of those, will bi!)/h as usual. So bii!)h now

  • resident (01/07/2025, 15:50) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    I stopped going to the parade for almost 20 years now. When my children were about 9/10 I felt so embarrassed standing with them and my hubby at my side watching the almost naked gyrations. Im not a prude but that is not my taste so instead we went to a pool or the beach. Now I'm never on island anyway. One year I remember Education had a troupe and they were so classyly dressed in short shorts. It was still sexy but not vulgar. We don't have to copy wgst the other islands do. We can set the example.
  • reality (01/07/2025, 16:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I promise you the day ayo turn parade costumes into a bunch of long frock nobody coming.


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