While thousands of residents throughout the Virgin Islands (VI) and the US Virgin Islands were very disappointed and upset that there were no horse races at Ellis Thomas Downs on August Tuesday 6, 2024, especially as we featured 70 years of festival, the day was still celebrated. Photo: Sea Cows Bay Cultural Group

The newly formed Sea Cows Bay Cultural Group hosted a cultural event on August Tuesday at the Racetrack in an effort to keep the VI culture alive, and show the importance of August Tuesday to the residents of District Three. Photo: Sea Cows Bay Cultural Group

Many persons from the Sea Cow's Bay community as well as persons from other communities attended the event. Photo: Sea Cows Bay Cultural Group

With music provided by a DJ, many of the music featured popular songs from the Third District bands and singers including the Lashing Dogs, Razor Blades and Aubrey L. Forbes. To keep the August Tuesday alive there were cultural foods on sale including fried fish, coconut bread, salt fish cakes, pudding, and stewed whelks at a reasonable price. Photo: Sea Cows Bay Cultural Group

Ms Hodge-Smith stated that the “responses from many of the attendees were that the event was enjoyable and that they looked forward to more being held”. Photo: Sea Cows Bay Cultural Group

The newly formed Sea Cows Bay Cultural Group hosted a cultural event on August Tuesday at the Racetrack in an effort to keep the VI culture alive, and show the importance of August Tuesday to the residents of District Three.

Lead organizer Mrs. Beverly E. Hodge-Smith, in speaking exclusively to our news centre noted “though not able to incorporate all the intended activities for the day, the group was able to have donkey races and donkey cart rides”. 

Sea Cows Bay was kept alive on August Tuesday

With music provided by a DJ, many of the music featured popular songs from the Third District bands and singers including the Lashing Dogs, Razor Blades and Aubrey L. Forbes. To keep the August Tuesday alive there were cultural foods on sale including fried fish, coconut bread, salt fish cakes, pudding, and stewed whelks at a reasonable price.

Mrs. Hodge-Smith said the turn out was good for a first start and “all the food items were sold out.” The good local food could not go without many local drinks, also a big sale item.

Many persons from the Sea Cows Bay community as well as persons from other communities attended the event. Ms Hodge-Smith stated that the “responses from many of the attendees were that the event was enjoyable and that they looked forward to more being held”.

Some persons also made financial contributions to the event including Nanny Cay Resort and Marina.

The matter with the Ellis Thomas Downs lands negotiation remains at a standstill and it is unclear when or if there will be horse races at the Downs again.