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Some partied & some prayed as VI welcomed 2017

Old Year's service at the New Testament Church of God in Baughers Bay. Photo: Team of Reporters
Seventh-day Adventists greet each other after the Old Year's church service on December 31, 2016 Photo: Team of Reporters
Seventh-day Adventists greet each other after the Old Year's church service on December 31, 2016 Photo: Team of Reporters
Inside the Carrot Bay Seventh-day Adventist Church on December 31, 2016. Photo: Provided
Inside the Carrot Bay Seventh-day Adventist Church on December 31, 2016. Photo: Provided
Most of the local residents of Anegada attended church services as it seemed that Rhema Tabernacle in the Settlement was filled to capacity. Photo: Team of Reporters
Most of the local residents of Anegada attended church services as it seemed that Rhema Tabernacle in the Settlement was filled to capacity. Photo: Team of Reporters
Inside the Rhema Tabernacle in the Settlement, Anegada on December 31, 2016. Photo: Team of Reporters
Inside the Rhema Tabernacle in the Settlement, Anegada on December 31, 2016. Photo: Team of Reporters
Patrons of the Rock Cafe in Virgin Gorda ring in the New Year on the dance floor. Photo: Team of Reporters
Patrons of the Rock Cafe in Virgin Gorda ring in the New Year on the dance floor. Photo: Team of Reporters
Having a grand time in the sand at Trellis Bay on December 31, 2016. Photo: VINO
Having a grand time in the sand at Trellis Bay on December 31, 2016. Photo: VINO
Some of the persons that chose to ring in the New Year at Trellis Bay, Beef Island. Photo: VINO
Some of the persons that chose to ring in the New Year at Trellis Bay, Beef Island. Photo: VINO
Some of the persons that chose to ring in the New Year at Trellis Bay, Beef Island. Photo: VINO
Some of the persons that chose to ring in the New Year at Trellis Bay, Beef Island. Photo: VINO
Onyan keeping the crowd alive at Trellis Bay, Beef Island on December 31, 2016. Photo: VINO
Onyan keeping the crowd alive at Trellis Bay, Beef Island on December 31, 2016. Photo: VINO
Taking over the dance floor in Trellis Bay, Beef Island on December 31, 2016. Photo: VINO
Taking over the dance floor in Trellis Bay, Beef Island on December 31, 2016. Photo: VINO
Persons on Trellis Bay beach look on as this woman expressed her joy of making it through another year with dancing. Photo: VINO
Persons on Trellis Bay beach look on as this woman expressed her joy of making it through another year with dancing. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- There was no dropping of a New Year’s Ball as in Times Square but the Virgin Islands- from Anegada to Jost Van Dyke- welcomed the New Year with much anticipation, although in different ways.

Beef Island

The relaxed, let your hair loose, dancing in the sand, beach bash setting on Trellis Bay, Beef Island was the preferred New Year’s Eve venue for several hundreds in the Virgin Islands.

The entire length of the beach front, from De Loose Mongoose to the final bar down south, was immersed with a fusion of musical entertainment, food and drinks, and of course the legendary Onyan Toriano Edwards, the former lead singer of the Burning Flames, on the main stand.

For hours, the well-known Antiguan artist belted tunes from yesteryear that had the grown and even the younger generations that came out to welcome the new year 2017 ending their year on a high note.

Then when many thought it was almost over, Onyan thrilled the crowd with “there’s a brown girl in the ring” with many participating and having a jolly good time.

While sentiments around were mixed in terms of the level of this year’s event, many were satisfied overall. “I enjoyed it,” a visiting tourist who is in the VI for the first time said, “especially Onyan, he sure knows how to make you dance!”

Another woman remarked that “I’ve seen better years.”

Other entertainment was by A Type of Toad, DJ Dagga among others.

Tortola

There was much partying on Tortola at the usual hot spots but many also chose to ring in the New Year in church.

The Seventh-day Adventist churches rang in the New Year earlier than most as the New Year began for them at sundown.

Among the many churches that Seventh-day Adventists flocked to was the Carrot Bay Seventh-Day Adventist Church where Head Elder Nigel Henry delivered his final sermon in that capacity. The congregation was told that for 2017 they should aspire to have the faith and trust in God as Elijah had.

Mr Henry also implored on the church to pay more emphasis on bringing back the youth, especially males, into the church for the New Year.

New Life Baptist Church in Duff’s Bottom and New Testament Church of God in Baughers Bay were two of the popular churches that many chose to attend to close out the year.

Virgin Gorda

In Virgin Gorda, one of the places to ring in the New Year was the Rock Café.

Patrons celebrated completing 2016 to the music of Lady Mix, DJ Lefty, Dj Millenium King and VIBE.

Anegada

Meanwhile, on the sister island of Anegada it was a bit more quiet this year as they rang in 2017.  Most of the local residents attended church services as it seemed that Rhema Tabernacle in the Settlement was filled to capacity.

After church, a number of persons went to their favourite bars for a beverage while the few tourists on the island were already at the many small bars on the island eating, drinking and watching on TV how other parts of the word were ringing in the New Year.

Jost Van Dyke

Dubbed the number one place to ring in the New Year in the Virgin Islands, Jost Van Dyke played host to a large number of tourists as well as residents who attended the event hosted by Foxy’s Tamarind Bar.

After a mechanical problem with the Bomba Challenger ferry, delayed and relieved passengers from Tortola were taken to JVD for the action.

Offering entertainment were Spectrum Band VI, Final Faze, DJ Avalanche, Plus Sensation and DJ Dre.

According to a resident, “everything went well it seems as no one lost their life,” referring to the 2015 Old Year’s revelling after which the body of a Puerto Rican national was pulled from the water at Great Harbour New Year's morning.

13 Responses to “Some partied & some prayed as VI welcomed 2017”

  • Bandit (01/01/2017, 17:02) Like (33) Dislike (3) Reply
    never understand how come people go to church and come right out of church and party and go drink rum
    • @ bandit (01/01/2017, 17:56) Like (15) Dislike (2) Reply
      because they have no respect for god or man
    • De People. (01/01/2017, 19:40) Like (13) Dislike (2) Reply
      What Church is doing for us. What difference is church making in the communitee. Good or bad is a choice has nothing to do with Church. Everybody running church and Check how wicked the place is...
    • Pandering (01/01/2017, 19:47) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      I always say the same thing Bandit
      Itakes no sense at all they are just filing themselves . Very sad dore
    • Sheriff (01/01/2017, 23:01) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      Because they can! Is call freedom !
  • Sue (01/01/2017, 17:28) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
    Cause them have no sense at
    all
  • tola (01/01/2017, 17:37) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    I agree with you @ bandit
  • Selassie I for 2017. (01/01/2017, 19:48) Like (23) Dislike (3) Reply
    2017. People turn to Selassie I. The right way. The big building fill with blue Eyes. Begging defrauding us with lies to get 10% of our hard own Salaries. If each person give Eggie and blackie and those kind of people 10% of their salaries the world would have been a better place. Rasta. Selassie I would have blessed the earth. We giving our 10% to the church and earth fill with curse. Check it seriously... Time for common sense people.
  • YeSa (01/01/2017, 19:48) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    They didnt get enough of drinking the lords wine at church. In the end it's their life. Because some who goes church end up home drinking the same rum, so who's to blame.
  • yes (02/01/2017, 00:04) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yea some pray
    Some party
    And some rob an thief but them ain rob an thief from the right person yet
    I jus waiting to here when somebody tied them by them balls an the use it to tow them vehicle..
  • batman (02/01/2017, 09:42) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    You all ndp want to kill our rights we are free to go to church then go get drunk...its our RIGHT
  • -------------------- (02/01/2017, 20:06) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    To all citizens of the BVI, may the words of Galatians 22:5 guide and encourage you throughout the year ahead: On the other hand, the fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith.
  • Downthethroat (03/01/2017, 11:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    And the Catholic church raped religion from Africans and want us to worship their king. People are understanding that some of the churches has nothing to offer so they find comfort elsewhere. Seek spirituality; it is better than religion.


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