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70th Anniversary Festival Village will be @ new reclamation

In a move that has met the praises of many, the 2024 Road Town Festival Village will be held at the new reclamation site that hosted the return of the Virgin Islands Music Festival. Photo: VINO/File
The decision on the new festival village location is reportedly that of Minister of Tourism and Culture Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7). Photo: GIS/File
The decision on the new festival village location is reportedly that of Minister of Tourism and Culture Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7). Photo: GIS/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- In a move that has met the praises of many, the 2024 Road Town Festival Village will be held at the new reclamation site that hosted the return of the Virgin Islands Music Festival.

This is according to sources within the BVI Tourist Board (BVITB).

There have been intense discussions about where to keep the 2024 Road Town Festival Village and to have a new parade route. Many have said the new location has more space, is closer to the ferry docks and has more parking.

Fake news by tabloid?

A local tabloid in an article today, Friday, June 28, 2024, claimed that there was a fight between the BVI Tourist Board and the Minister of Tourism and Culture Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) over the location of the festival; however, the same source noted that article is 'fake news.'

Ultimately, the premier has the final say per his constitutional mandate.

Director of Tourism Clive L. McCoy did not respond to our news centre's inquiries before publication time.

The main festival village of the 70th [British] Virgin Islands Emancipation Festival will be named in honour of Jost van Dyke native Larina Loretta Jacobs-Lamothe aka ‘Rena’. 

We will bring more information as they become available, as the BVITB is expected to issue a press release later today.

48 Responses to “70th Anniversary Festival Village will be @ new reclamation”

  • Fake News (28/06/2024, 17:59) Like (19) Dislike (1) Reply
    Build up on the other side too , for better parking. If rain fall, it’s a lagoon.
  • Good thing.. (28/06/2024, 18:46) Like (58) Dislike (7) Reply
    Good location. Breezy, less noise disturbing people hope they send the sound out of Sea, Towards Peter Island.. Plenty Parking..People just need to make sure they use their home toilet before they leave home..Get more lightings around surrounding areas. Coney Island Can fit in the Corner next to Pancake Paradise. I like this choice..

    • This would mean.. (28/06/2024, 19:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      This would mean the parade route would have to change.

      This would mean more poles would have to be installed for electricity for both booth owners and vendors.

      This would mean that more portable bathrooms would have to rented.
    • .. (28/06/2024, 19:47) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Breezy is good to a certain extent.
    • Really? (29/06/2024, 00:51) Like (6) Dislike (5) Reply
      Who knows it feels it.

      Persons living in the hospital, Mac Namara area, Pub and further west were kept up until 2:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m. with the water of money absolute failure music fest.

      Has the know it all premier taken into consideration that there is a hospital in the area that will be affected, or has he plain forgotten? End of August can not come soon enough.
    • TruDat! (29/06/2024, 08:19) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
      Parking should be at Festival Ground with a $1 each way Safari trip to the event, generates revenue for the Taxis and guarantees enough space for everyone.
    • Quarter million (29/06/2024, 09:43) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      I’m sure for 250,000.00 one of the Gov’t cronies will quickly build a nice bathroom
  • OUR MASTER (28/06/2024, 18:55) Like (22) Dislike (8) Reply
    Has spoken , and am in charge , and I do as I please , the festival will be where I want it to be , and that is final / and I ain't flexing yet
  • Concerned (28/06/2024, 19:14) Like (24) Dislike (12) Reply
    The Booth owners voted against this and they have just a few minutes ago informed them of this change .The booth owners feel disrespected and some of them want their money back
    • Man in suit (28/06/2024, 22:14) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      It’s a dictatorship gov running is. What we voting ????️ for is not a democracy
    • TruDat! (29/06/2024, 08:21) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      They have been disrespected and that won't change. On the other hand others wanted a booth and didn't get one so I'm sure those spaces can be filled.
  • smh (28/06/2024, 19:26) Like (27) Dislike (0) Reply
    This government OBVIOUSLY got money. Change is good yes but having a plan and executing it well is even BETTER!

  • VOTER6BVI (28/06/2024, 19:38) Like (5) Dislike (3) Reply
    ITS A VERY BAD IDEA AT THIS LAST MINUTE.
  • about time (28/06/2024, 19:51) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    We need to staet qnd dinish on time for once.
  • Sad (28/06/2024, 19:57) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    The booth owners voted against this yet the Premier still went ahead and did what he wanted, as usual! We no longer live in a democracy.

    Change is good yes but why so much change for the 70th. Will anything remain the same to honor the history for the 70th? This needs better planning before execution and for goodness sake we are in 2024, please pave the festival ground or this new location for a better patron experience so we are not walking or dancing in puddles of water if it rains. The festival is not free and we must pay to enter the village (wherever it is) and have to be walking in dirt or mud!
  • Career (28/06/2024, 20:01) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Leave it at at old venu. It's a signature
  • Career (28/06/2024, 20:03) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    Over there doesn't fit the festival. People are going to be well-dressed in heels, etc. Over there have rocks
  • The watchdog (28/06/2024, 20:43) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    Congratulations on this superb choice
  • smh (28/06/2024, 21:25) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    One of the dumbest decisions ever made by a party that was formed under the theme where there's vision the people perish
  • location (28/06/2024, 21:36) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is actually a great location to hold festival if you are considering distance from the ferry, reduced disruption of main roads, sea breeze, etc.
  • Not a good move (28/06/2024, 21:55) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Putting the stage in the road again behind Admin Building will cause massive traffic congestion.
  • Big weather (28/06/2024, 22:00) Like (5) Dislike (8) Reply
    I hope we get some tropical waves in we backside throughout all of festival. Idc idc idc
  • I HOPE (28/06/2024, 22:03) Like (5) Dislike (7) Reply
    I hope and swamp parking lots get flood out with rain and all the attendees are unable to get to their vehicle to go home. Supporting this non sense with all our internal issues.

    Hopefully y'all don't drop in a pot hole and end up in Peebles death house to be examined
  • Pyour @$$ishness (28/06/2024, 22:40) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    BETWEEN THE ROUND-A-BOUT TO SCOTIA BANK, WHERE ARE THE PEOPLE GOING TO STAND IN ORDER TO SEE THE PARADE
    • @ff complete change.. (29/06/2024, 13:12) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      Parade starts from Crandals turn at the traffic lights at the bank right onto the grounds. People will adopt and adjust.
  • I must say (28/06/2024, 22:49) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    The good thing about the move, is that traffic won't have to be reduced to one lane no more
  • GOOD THIMG (28/06/2024, 22:52) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    BOOTH OWNERS WILL NO LONGER BE ALLOWED TO PARK ON THE INSIDE
  • Positive side (28/06/2024, 22:53) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    1 lane traffic will now be a thing of the past
  • negative side (28/06/2024, 22:54) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    The vantage point to see the parade now will be hectic
  • Really? (28/06/2024, 23:52) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    That ground is too tender to take the weight of villlage for two weeks. When rain falls in there will be muddy like a pig pen, and full of potholes. I guess the government is trying to recoup some of the money lost on music fest.
  • Fed-Up (28/06/2024, 23:55) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    They got there second term, so them don't listen to the people no more . You'll vote them in so live with the decision and consequence.????????????
  • Quietly (29/06/2024, 03:25) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    Wondering if Maria's was consulted on this. There is a hotel less than 50 feet away. Are all of their guests going to be at this event? It is one thing to make the decision because we just spent money on that area and we want to use it, but sounds to me like there are other logistics that should be considered.
    • the best (29/06/2024, 14:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Marias is probably where the artist are staying and that’s where the artist were held in the conference room before going to the stage. Perfect setup
  • Hmm (29/06/2024, 07:03) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    So why don't they put the Coney island at the festival ground
  • move (29/06/2024, 07:23) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    This is a good move. It will serve the public better
  • Truth (29/06/2024, 07:35) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    Where is the district four representative in all this She does nothing Just do photo ups This is Road Town village
  • Norris Turnbull (29/06/2024, 08:08) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    OK. Now. Have the invited Artists perform at the current festival village sight and pay to enter to see them perform.

    Entry to the new festival village/ location should be FREE all festival. What are we celebrating again?
  • Pennies & Cents (29/06/2024, 08:43) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    That’s why everything gone up $$$$$$$ I need a loan to participate in the festivities this summer smh.
  • Strupes (29/06/2024, 08:49) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wheatley just making sure he make back money for that bs music fest on new location. Ignoring vendors wishes and not going to have proper rest rooms and lighting around the area so ppl won't get mug going to cars. I'm not coming home for the 70th again see you next Easter VG.
  • August 2017 (29/06/2024, 10:15) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Remember the flood that cancelled Festival holidays that year!!
  • Question… (29/06/2024, 10:53) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Is this going to be the permanent venue in the future? What with the $250K washroom, which was built on festival grounds a few years aback?
  • Hmmm planning or non planning (29/06/2024, 11:23) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    With a couple weeks to go before festival, why is this a conversation at this hour? Shouldn't this have been thougt out and finalized no leas than 6 months ago? I don't care where it will be but it shouldn't be rushed like this. Is this how we do things over and over and really expect a different results. There are environmental, sanitation, impact studies, security, utilities, traffic and parking, safety for children and a lot more considerations that needs to be seriously taken and professional advice sought. Town planning for the booths and waste disposal and so many issues.

    To bring this up at this late hour is insane.

    All who responsible needs to step down as this is not responsible planning. The high school graduates could have handled this much better
  • Democracy (29/06/2024, 11:28) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    There’s so much going on in this little 2 x 4 place we call home. Democracy is at its lowest ebb. It’s apparent that the Bigga’s call the shots and the people of this blessed country has NO VOICE. Time after time it gets worse despite the past mistakes. I wonder who’s listening and who’s paying attention to the cries of the people? I never once thought in my lifetime that I would see this form of dictatorship demonstrated in the Virgin Islands . But here it is vividly displayed on the eve of our 70th emancipation celebration. It’s not too late to do it right and get the public involved in the decision making. It’s time to change course NOW!
  • Village (29/06/2024, 11:50) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    There is no Village CB committee at all just a set of bench warmers who were bullied by the higher ups They are the people making all the decisions The booth owners collectively already paid 56k to festival and they have no say in any decisions
  • Tola Drama (29/06/2024, 11:55) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    Honestly, the new location is much better and safer for everyone given it is not close to the roadways or highways including less noise pollution for those persons who are continually affected yearly. There is no need to invest in bathrooms as the Pier Park is only a few steps away and the bathrooms there are nice and kept clean regularly. Most importantly, parking should be readily available as there are so many nearby options in that location. I beg you please VI People given it a chance and do not knock everything in the name of democracy.

  • ok (29/06/2024, 12:28) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    my only problem with this location is the stage being place on the road behind the complex.....this road is used to avoid traffic, especially if you are heading west..
  • jack (29/06/2024, 16:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good move
  • yawns (30/06/2024, 16:17) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    I will see machel for the biggest event next year February at his show in trini


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