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70th Emancipation Festival was 'safe' with 'no notable incidents'- Clive L. McCoy

Activities for the 70th Emancipation Festival ran from July 14 to August 10, 2024, under the theme ‘Celebrate Our Freedom And Live In Unity, As BVI Festival Turns 70!’. Photo: Facebook/Virgin Islands Festival
Tourism Director Clive L. McCoy has said he is pleased with the outcome of the recently concluded 70th Emancipation Festival. Photo: Internet Source
Tourism Director Clive L. McCoy has said he is pleased with the outcome of the recently concluded 70th Emancipation Festival. Photo: Internet Source
The 70th Emancipation Festival ended on Saturday, August 10, 2024 with a Fireworks Show. Facebook/Virgin Islands Festival
The 70th Emancipation Festival ended on Saturday, August 10, 2024 with a Fireworks Show. Facebook/Virgin Islands Festival
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Tourism Director Clive L. McCoy has said he is pleased with the outcome of the recently concluded 70th Emancipation Festival.

Speaking exclusively to Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) on Monday, August 12, 2024, Mr McCoy said he is glad the Virgin Islands enjoyed a “safe festival”  with “no notable incidents”. 

Activities for the 70th Emancipation Festival ran from July 14 to August 10, 2024, under the theme ‘Celebrate Our Freedom And Live In Unity, As BVI Festival Turns 70!’. Several events from pageants and parades to services of thanksgiving and community-based activities commemorated 70 years of the Virgin Islands’ Emancipation Festival. 

The British Virgin Islands Tourist Board (BVITB) coordinated the 70th Emancipation Festival. 

Those involved have a passion for the Territory- Clive L. McCoy

McCoy also thanked all those who were instrumental in the organisation and running of the various activities on the calendar of events for this year’s Emancipation Festival. 

These individuals, including the staff of the BVITB and other events committee members, he said put forth a “tremendous effort” to ensure the 70th Emancipation Festival came to fruition. 

Their hard work in the planning phase and the execution of the various aspects of the 70th Emancipation Festival was done out of a passion for the Territory, “It was an amazing feat they were able to accomplish,” he said. 

A lot of things were also learned during this year’s Emancipation Festival from an organiser’s perspective, McCoy told VINO, adding that there are also a few things to be rectified ahead of next year’s Emancipation Festival. 

Community members encouraged to participate- Clive L. McCoy

McCoy also encouraged community members to participate in the Emancipation Festival since it is an expression of culture. 

“The more persons we have involved to help with the execution of the festival, the greater it would be,” he added.

13 Responses to “70th Emancipation Festival was 'safe' with 'no notable incidents'- Clive L. McCoy”

  • Bubbles (13/08/2024, 11:51) Like (7) Dislike (7) Reply
    What about the murder out by the market square? And the shooting in baughers bay? This type of safe is the new norm?
  • Expression of culture (13/08/2024, 12:50) Like (17) Dislike (4) Reply
    Explain what was cultural with all those village nights and the lewd acts on stage and all the skin showing for parade and gyrating in front of the senior citizens and the slackness at jouvert all of that comes with a price so don’t jump the gun and think it will go unpunished
  • LOL (13/08/2024, 13:40) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    The amount of money you all flitted away was notable. Any audits this year? or perhaps we can just add it to the backlog?
  • NB (13/08/2024, 13:59) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply

    Listen the way we celebrate alone is a ‘incident’ , a crime. I saw exposed p*n*ni in all shapes, buns in all sizes being flossed, breast more than KFC, R rated actions performed on each other , etc. etc. where is our pride messon? I shame for us.

  • jack@$$ (13/08/2024, 15:45) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    It's funny how people complain about how folks fete everywhere all year. There is a certain carnival nature to our emancipation festival, if it offends you then you should avoid it. However, I think more focus needs to be put on the cultural part of it. And on the local part of it. Tourist Board should not be in charge of it. Calypso show should be promoted more, fungi fest should be an annual part of it also. Everything shouldn't be about queen show and soca monarch. It shouldn't be new dancehall acts with a couple hits overpriced for their 15mins booked. They can't command these prices anywhere else. Certain acts shouldn't be in the public space either. Some of the artists looked like they got off the couch just bc we paid ridiculous $$$ to have them perform. The regional bands should get more features in the village. More troupes should participate. The emancipation ceremony needs a local band to play that day by the well after the speeches. Get the community involved the way we used to do it long time ago, from April is fish fry with the bands, car wash to raise funds every couple weeks. Anyway, the kids say I am getting old but this is the formula I've seen work.
  • Tramp (13/08/2024, 16:05) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    What about the big fight and broken bones up beef island juvert???
  • This is NOT Emancipation (13/08/2024, 16:48) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is NOT emancipation from SLAVERY!!!!!!!

    SLAVES WERE SEXUALLY EXPLOITED, RAPED, ABUSED, AND WORSE!!!

    THIS NAKEDNESS DURING FESTIVAL, PRIVATES EXPOSED, SIMULATING SEX ON STAGE, IN RISE AND SHINE TRAMP, PARADE, AND ELSEWHERE IS A MOCKERY OF EMANCIPATION!!!!!!!

    Government could set a standard but we ALL KNOW THEY HAVE NONE!!
  • It was safe? (13/08/2024, 17:15) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    You know how much fights I saw broke out on Snapchat at that festival grounds??

    And knfies trying to pass through fences by other people??

    Don't forget somenody said they think someone brought in a gun hiding in their clothes poking out?


    Well I guess once moody died and got shot is the new safe for us so this makes sense ofc

    I guess the guys with the big chains I saw at the performance needed protection just in case
    • @ It was safe? (14/08/2024, 07:41) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      If these incidents weren't officially reported they can't be counted
  • Oh?!? (13/08/2024, 17:42) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    He aiin know bout the fights at east jouvert
  • Deh Watcha (13/08/2024, 18:25) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
    Clive they just jealous of you they can't stop you!!!
  • Lb (13/08/2024, 22:56) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    How would he know? He didn’t go anywhere. Opening ceremony and nothing else.


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