Children with their parents in Rita Francis Festiville on August 1, 2016. Photo: VINO/File

Chairman of the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee (VIF&FC), Mr Trefor A. Grant fields questions from reporters at a press conference of the VIFFC at Central Administration Complex on July 4, 2017. Photo: VINO

This issue came up at a press conference of the VIFFC at Central Administration Complex on July 4, 2017 when the concern was expressed by a reporter. According to one reporter, supported by others there, almost all the paid and unpaid night's at villages, especially Road Town, more than a dozen under age children are usually front stage without parental supervision. In most cases, according to the reporters, the children are there way into the early morning hours.

There is also the issue of children getting lost in the crowd, while some are left to roam around the village freely after hours.

Addressing the issue, Mr Grant made it abundantly clear that parents have to own their responsibility. "We try as much to control what happens in the village but at the end of it parents are responsible for their children and making sure that they are given the required supervision."

Not getting involved in patrolling children

"We will not get involved in patrolling whose kids around festival village, unfortunately. We can only stress to the parents that your kids are your responsibility and you are supposed to be vigilant enough to make sure that your kids are where they supposed to be at a reasonable hour," Mr Grant continued.

However, while his opinion can be seen as realistic and worth taking into consideration, Byron 'Positive' Massicott suggested a separation of adult and children’s fetes for festival.

He said on social media, "With carnival season right around the corner. I'm voicing my personal opinion in hope that the Chairman of the Festival and Fairs Committee will read this message and take notice.

"Why don't they separate the children activities/parade from the adult activities/parade by having all the children events like Coney Island, Jr Calypso Show, Prince and Princess Show etc, one week prior to the official launch of the festivities activities. Then after the launch we can have everything adult, like village entertainment, parade, queen shows etc where you'll have to be 21 years and older to enter the villages."

This he said "Will reduce the number of children mixing with and attending the adults activities, and fights. It is not fair when we want to fete and there's a heap of young children running through the crowd."