Ninth District Representative and Minister for Health and Social Development, Hon Vincent O. Wheatley’s pre-Father’s Day Celebration at Bay 6, Virgin Gorda, has been deemed a success. Photo: Team of Reporters

The Pre-Father's Day Celebration on Virgin Gorda was supported by House of Assembly representatives. Photo: Team of Reporters

Scenes from the Ninth District Pre-Father's Day Celebration. Photo: Team of Reporters

Scenes from the Ninth District Pre-Father's Day Celebration. Photo: Team of Reporters

Speaking to Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) on Saturday, June 20, 2026, Hon Wheatley said, “It was very, very well supported. We had live music, lots of food.”

He explained that he is always trying to find events to bring the community together, particularly the males. “This was an idea I had. Instead of coming together on Father’s Day, people would want to spend it with their families…I decided let’s do a community event for the fathers.”

Hon Wheatley said the event was also well-supported by the community, including mothers, adding that they stayed an extra hour “because people didn’t want to go home; they were having so much fun”. 

HoA colleagues supported

The event was also supported by the Premier and Minister of Finance, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7); Junior Minister for Tourism and Culture, Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith (R4); Minister for Communications and Works, Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5); and Junior Minister for Financial Services and Economic Development, Hon Lorna G. Smith (AL). 

“It was also a time for persons on Virgin Gorda to meet these other representatives,” he added. 

Hon Wheatley said that following the event’s success, he will have it annually moving forward. 

“It was a very successful event [with] the intention to bring people together, to mingle with each other in a nice, safe environment and to meet my other colleagues in the House of Assembly.”