2017 Festival shaping up or out of shape?
The Culture Minister Hon Myron V. Walwyn (AL) is under an investigation ordered by the Governor John S. Duncan OBE over a small wall Mr Walwyn built around the Elmore Stoutt High School, costing tax payers over a million dollars. Many of the controversial Minister's critics have said that money could have been used to properly promote the festival and pay both local and overseas artistes.
This comes just when we thought Mr Duncan’s decision not to leave the Territory until after the 'jump-up' would have resulted in him being in a good-bye troupe in the August Monday parade; however, he really had other plans!
Weak Line-up?
Others are claiming that the line-up is weak and they are thankful for the many holidays to be out of the Territory. One Facebook (FB) poster, Kareem-Nelson Hull, lambasted the Virgin Islands Festival & Fairs Committee (VIF&FC) yesterday July 20, 2017 on his FB page about the line-up that was released with the omission of the traditional Miss BVI Pageant, along with lack of times and dates for certain events.
But whatever your views are, the booth owners on the Road Town festival ground are getting ready and construction started in earnest yesterday.
Along with the booths, the colourful flags are going up all over town, and as for horse races, yes they are ready for August Tuesday at Ellis Thomas Downs.
But just in case you forgot, the 2017 Festival Village will be officially opened on July 31, 2017 and will be named after the late Neil A. Blyden aka ‘Mr Melee.’ The theme, which we are not hearing much about, is ‘A Colourful Kaleidoscope To Be Seen, Creating A Cultural Scene For Festival 2017’.
If you are still here
The holidays are fast approaching and, for you who will still be on island this weekend, the first activity on the festival calendar is this coming Sunday, July 23, 2017- the Prince & Princess Pageant, to be held at Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall in Road Town, the capital city.
Festival activities will span from July 23 until August 12, 2017 and it will include festivities in Road Town, East End and Carrot Bay all on the main island of Tortola.
So maybe this article just might help you get in the mood!
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