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Some 400 boats & 4000 persons visited VI for Christmas in July 2022- BVITB

- Event was held on July 23, 2022 @ Pond Bay in Virgin Gorda
The 2022 Christmas in July has been deemed a success, with over four hundred boats and some 4000 people making it to the Virgin Islands from Puerto Rico and other places for the annual event held at Pond Bay, Virgin Gorda on Saturday, July 24, 2022. Photo: Alton A. Bertie/Facebook
A large number of persons partying on Pond Bay beach at Christmas in July on Saturday, July 23, 2022. Photo: Facebook
A large number of persons partying on Pond Bay beach at Christmas in July on Saturday, July 23, 2022. Photo: Facebook
According to the BVI Tourist Board (BVITB), approximately 400 boats and 4000 persons visited the Virgin Islands for Christmas in July held Saturday, July 23, 2022, at Pond Bay beach in Virgin Gorda. Photo: Alton A. Bertie/Facebook
According to the BVI Tourist Board (BVITB), approximately 400 boats and 4000 persons visited the Virgin Islands for Christmas in July held Saturday, July 23, 2022, at Pond Bay beach in Virgin Gorda. Photo: Alton A. Bertie/Facebook
POND BAY, Virgin Gorda, VI- The 2022 Christmas in July has been deemed a success, with over four hundred boats and some 4000 people making it to the Virgin Islands from Puerto Rico and other places for the annual event held at Pond Bay, Virgin Gorda on Saturday, July 24, 2022.

The event is organised by Wally Castro Marine in collaboration with the BVI Tourist Board with support from other entities in the Virgin Islands, including government departments.

‘Tourism on the move baby’- Clive McCoy

According to the BVI Tourist Board (BVITB) approximately 400 boats and 4000 persons visited the Virgin Islands for the beach fete.

“Look at all the boats around us, tourism on the move baby,” Director of Tourism Mr Clive McCoy stated in a Facebook video on Saturday.

Junior Minister for Trade and Economic Development and At Large Representative Hon Shereen D. Flax-Charles, who has been heavily involved in the planning of the event over the years, also hailed it as a success.

‘Collaborative effort’- Hon Flax-Charles

“It was very successful, there were a bit if weather challenges but it turned out well for the most part of the day,” Hon Flax-Charles said.

The Junior Minister said the event was a collaborative effort among “many many persons, agencies, government departments had to come together to pull this event off, of course with the Puerto Rican Navy but Wally Castro is really the lead person and lead business out of Puerto Rico with the event,” Hon Flax-Charles said, adding that the Virgin Gorda community was very much involved.

Virgin Islands News Online was told that hotels, villas and guest houses were packed to capacity.

Hon Flax-Charles had kudos to the Sister Islands Coordinator, Sasha D.A. Flax and also said she was pleased to see VISAR, BVI Red Cross and staff of BVI Health Services Authority present in the event of a situation.

She said Public Works Department made sure trails to the beach were cut, as not everyone accessed Pond Bay via boats.

“Everyone was involved and did what they had to do,” Hon Flax-Charles told our newsroom today, July 24, 2022.

Family event

Christmas in July was created as a family event, according to Mr Castro.

“In Puerto Rico, it’s already a tradition to use the last days of July to take a small summer vacation and spend time with family and children before they go back to school,” Castro said.

“Having that in mind, we created a family event in Virgin Gorda to gather the nautical community, which usually arrives as a “fleet” to the BVI in those days, and regular tourists who use other means to arrive to the BVI to celebrate Christmas in July with us,” Castro previously told Caribbean Journal.

14 Responses to “Some 400 boats & 4000 persons visited VI for Christmas in July 2022- BVITB”

  • lol (25/07/2022, 09:40) Like (9) Dislike (14) Reply
    Thank God for foreigners
    • Tasty (25/07/2022, 10:54) Like (17) Dislike (2) Reply
      This event is a success because the Govt and the Tourist Board do not lead on the orgnaisation, and on the whole simply stay out of it.
      Michael
  • Christina (25/07/2022, 09:48) Like (6) Dislike (17) Reply
    “Christmas in July/ Xmas In July” ?

    The videos being shared on whatsapp/facebook is licentious to say the least.

    As some may be aware, Christmas, is one of the greatest times for the Church as it is the birth of our Saviour. However, I recognize and respect that there are those who do not believe this. Hence they have removed the word, “Christ” out of Christmas substituting it with the letter “X” so the word becomes “Xmas”. However, when you hear the word “Xmas” the thought which inevitably comes to mind is Christmas. And so, can any intelligent person, with good sense, clothed in his or her right mind conclude that the licentious behaviour which was portrayed over the weekend has any connection to Christmas/Xmas?

    The answer is a resounding no. Therefore one cannot, but conclude that it is most unfitting to call this event, “Christmas in July” and “Xmas in July”; this is sacrilege.

    And if the Christian community thinks that this is not a big deal, think again. It will only get worse. There is a breaking point and enough is enough.

    Have your event because it can promote good relations.
    Have your event to promote tourism.
    Have your event because it can generate revenue for the territory.
    Have your event by all means.

    But change its name, because what I, and I am certain, many others have seen is in no way, representative of Christ or Christmas.

    Therefore, I most respectfully implore the authorities that be, please change the name of that event. Please let us correct ourselves before God corrects us all. Thank you.
    • @Christina (25/07/2022, 10:37) Like (30) Dislike (3) Reply
      Sorry, I couldn't tag this to Christina...
      So, the goings on at August Festival are not "licentious to say the least"?...... It sounds like you have double standards when comparing Puerto Ricans to West Indians.
      Also over 90% of Puerto Ricans are very Catholic and church going.... I think you need a chill pill.
      • smh (25/07/2022, 11:27) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
        people read before blogging, is the August festival called Christmas/Xmas. isn't the problem with the name of the event and not the event itself,shyteeee
    • @Christina (25/07/2022, 10:58) Like (3) Dislike (8) Reply

      you do realise xmas is a pagan festival stolen by the church, or do you know not what is real and just made up s**t like the story of jesus which is actually a retelling of a story from 5000yrs ago and bout Ra the sun god, why don't you have read and understand istead of blind fith which was brought to bear by the white man and his whip in the Congo before your forfathers arrived here and the indoctorination carried on and the s**t you still believe is funny.

  • Embarrassing (25/07/2022, 09:52) Like (18) Dislike (3) Reply
    it was awesome to see, but the way some of the locals chased these people away and STOLE their alcohol and were laughing about it was so embarrassing.
  • Hmm (25/07/2022, 11:06) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
    so all of them come here without doing a covid test and persons living here and have to any minor surgery at the hospital have to get tested. just wow
  • YP (25/07/2022, 12:04) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    @Christina Your are a very sorry person, there are all kinds of parting on Christmas and the Christmas holidays some of you so call Christians don't know what God wants because if you did you will stop been shuts hypocrites.
  • rubber duck (25/07/2022, 14:20) Like (1) Dislike (5) Reply
    Now this is something the bvi tb should invest in
  • History (25/07/2022, 15:42) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is the type of movement the Taino conducted to the Virgin Islands for fishing and to gather salt at the various ponds. It might be a good idea to organize the event around this history and to rediscover our roots and culture. Not all black people in the West were brought from Africa. There is a movement in Puerto Rico to uncover Taino history. There are Taino villages that still exist in the Greater Antilles.Tourist Board should explore this avenue to create closer cultural bonds with Puerto Rico and to help our people find their way. There is Taino DNA in the Virgin Islands we are not extinct as some would like us to believe. There is evidence on Virgin Gorda at places like the Baths, Coppermine and others also on Tortola and the rest of the islands. Our history is very rich and colorful. Please wake up. Let us take our consciousness to a higher level.
  • Massive (25/07/2022, 16:09) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    VG is back as the tourism capital of the BVI..
  • resident (26/07/2022, 07:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    An awesome Hospitality event for the B.V.I. Kudos to The BVI Tourist Board members, Jr. Minister for Tourism , Hon. Alvera Maduro - Caines and the rest of the staff especially Ms. Lynette Harrigan for her usual special touch in making this happen. A big come-back after Irma and Covid. Big up to Mr. Clive Mc Coy, Rodney and all the others!!!!!! Thank You!!
  • yessi (26/07/2022, 09:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Best party in the bvi ! Well enjoyed


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