The Stickett is a place where people of the days of old, converge in one open place to socialize without fear of the slave masters which once owned and ruled over them. Photo: VINO/file

Now is the ideal time for children and adults who are not aware of the rich cultural heritage and history surrounding Long Look, to come out and learn all they can, so that when they claim to be celebrating freedom from slavery, they will know exactly what that celebration entails said East End/Long Look Festival Committee Chairperson Ms Sandra Potter-Warrican. Photo: VINO

Today July 25, 2014 for the first time in the history of the 60 year old Festival celebrations an activity will be held at the EE/LL Stickett as one of the main activity across the Territory that signals the official start of the emancipation celebrations. Photo: VINO/file

Dr. Quincy Lettsome will do the message about the Nottingham Free People while Mrs. Jennie Wheatley will do the Letter of Manumission. Photo: VINO/file

Today July 25, 2014 for the first time in the history of the 60 year old Festival celebrations an activity will be held at the EE/LL Stickett as one of the main activity across the Territory that signals the official start of the emancipation celebrations to be coordinated through the BVI Festival and Fairs Committee (BVIF&FC).

According to the BVIF&FC Public Relations Officer Ms Lynette Harrigan the Virgin Island’s culture and history, one which saw our fore-parents breaking free from physical slavery beginning in the community of Long Look will be celebrated in a big way as she credits its coordinating to Ms Potter-Warrican and team.

Ms. Harrigan recalled that Deputy Premier, Minister for Natural Resources and Labour and Representative for the Seventh District Dr. the Hon. Kedrick D. Pickering along with several others who hold the rich history of Long Look dear to their hearts, have always called for a special event to be held at the Stickett to keep that history alive.

The Stickett is a place where people of the days of old, converge in one open place to socialize without fear of the slave masters which once owned and ruled over them.

“For the 60th Emancipation they will be having much more than they had envisioned as the East End/Long Look Festival Committee has designed a programme that will see the involvement of all the people of the Virgin Islands including visitors,” said Ms Harrigan.

Starting Friday afternoon July 25, 2014 the scores are expected to participate in an activity titled “Festival of Culture and Praise” which will blanket the Long Look community.

“Come celebrate our culture and history through praise, parade procession, historical talks, manumission reading, cultural skit and several other cultural demonstrations,” noted the committee.

At 5:30PM a walk of remembrance procession will move off from Long Swap en-route to the Stickettt where a remembrance programme will begin. There will be a full programme of songs of praise, poetry, dances, a skit, and presentations on the freed Nottingham slaves, reading of the letter which freed all the slaves, and gifted them with the Nottingham Plantation, and a lot more.

Dr. Quincy Lettsome will do the message about the Nottingham Free People while Mrs. Jennie Wheatley will do the Letter of Manumission.

Students of the Frances Lettsome and Willard Wheatley Primary Schools are all well rehearsed as they will be the ones doing the cultural skit.