The cutting of the ribbon to mark the opening of the Carrot Bay Cultural Fiesta on August 9, 2019. Photo: Third from left is Oliver Turnbull aka ‘Ollie’ whom the Fisherman’s Tournament was named after, Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) and Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr The Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7). Second from left is Chairman of the VI Festival and Fairs Committee, Carnel D. Clyne. Photo: VINO

A large crowd gathered at the Carrot Bay Festiville for the stage show featuring Trinidadian Soca artiste, Machel Montano on August 9, 2019. Photo: VINO

Experienced fisherman Robin Smith, left, is presented with his trophy for the Most Overall Catch (209lbs) in the Oliver Turnbull Fisherman's Tournament by Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) in the presence of Mr Oliver Turnbull aka 'Ollie' and Minister for Culture Dr The Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7), right, Photo: VINO

Larry Henley aka 'Instructor' raises his trophy won for the Overall Biggest Fish and Special Fish (tuna) in the Oliver Turnbull Fisherman's Tournament. Photo: VINO

The final two days and nights of activities, August 8, 9 and 10, 2019, were held in the home district of Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) where activities of a cultural nature were held as per normal but with the addition of a market day for the first time.

At a simple ceremony to mark the opening of the festival activities at Carrot Bay, dubbed the Carrot Bay Cultural Fiesta, and the close of the Territory’s 65^th Emancipation Celebrations, Premier Fahie challenged persons to always celebrate Emancipation with a spirt of gratitude.

“Once we respect what our ancestors went through for us to be free, then we will always celebrate with a spirit of gratitude and with the right attitude, that is one of the areas that I must say that the 65^th anniversary of festival has followed.”

‘We have done much better this year’- Hon Fahie

Premier Fahie was high in praise for the Carrot Bay Festival Committee for their efforts in keeping the Carrot Bay and VI culture alive.

While also congratulating Chairman of the VI Festival and Fairs Committee (VIF&FC) Carnel D. Clyne and his team, Premier said, “This year has been a blast, we have a lot of room for improvement but we have done much better than we have done in the last three years and for that I congratulate them.”

Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr The Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley aka ‘Sowande Uhuru’ was also high in praise for the Carrot Bay Festival Committee for its preservation of VI culture.

Spirit of love & harmony in Carrot Bay

“The people of Carrot Bay have been able to hold on to their culture, like no other area in the BVI and I really appreciate what they have been able to do over the years with their fiesta.”

He highlighted activities like the donkey races, fishing tournament, “And now with their Market Day, it’s really something special that we hope that can spread throughout the territory.”

“And I have to tell you too that the people of Carrot Bay have a spirit of love, a spirit of togetherness, a spirit of harmony that I think we really need to adopt in the entire BVI and I am so proud to be in this area for this event,” added Hon Wheatley.

He was also had words of commendation for Premier Fahie, calling him, “A giant of a man and a wonderful leader.”

“He has led this community to great heights and I admire him as a Premier and a former Minister of Education, who has paved the way for me really to be who I am today,” added Hon Wheatley, while also tipping his hat to Mr Carnel D, Clyne and his committee.

“Along with the booth owners, along with the people who would have participated in all the different events, have done a wonderful job in this 65^th Festival that we are celebrating.”

Stage shows

August 5, 2019 at Carrot Bay saw, along with local acts, the mammoth crowd entertained by headliners Skinny Fabulous and Machel Montano. Montano told the crowd that he recalled his first trip to the VI back in 1985 when he came out with his first song “Too young to Soca” and that he was amazed at the growth of the territory.

“BVI really changed,” he repeatedly said during his performance which was well received.

The final night, August 6, 2019 was headlined by Siccature Alcock aka ‘Jah Cure’ but intermittent showers saw persons not getting the best of their expectations as they were forced to constantly run for shelter and many left the festiville during the main act.

Some diehards; however, were not afraid to face the rain and dampened ground and stood it out to the last minute to bring the curtains down with the local band, VIBE.