2025 Virgin Gorda Easter Festival Honouree Mr Berton Creque, right, receives his honouree token from Miss Virgin Gorda Easter Festival, Allonah T. Williams. Left is Chairperson of the Virgin Gorda Easter Festival Sub Committee Mr Reshawn Stevens. Photo: Facebook

Junior Minister for Culture and Tourism Hon Luce D. Hodge Smith said Mr Berton Creque is a true cultural pillar of Virgin Gorda. Photo: Facebook

Ninth District Representative and Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Vincent O. Wheatley, left, thanked the Virgin Gorda Easter Festival Sub Committee for honouring Mr Berton Creque, who he described as a real community man, and ‘a man of heritage and culture’. Photo: Facebook

Ninth District Representative and Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Vincent O. Wheatley firstly congratulated Chairperson of the Virgin Gorda Easter Festival Sub Committee Mr Reshawn Stevens for his “stellar leadership” of the Committee, which he said is “no easy feat”.

Hon Wheatley then thanked the Committee for honouring Mr Creque, whom he described as a real community man, and “a man of heritage and culture”.

‘Truly deserving’ of honour

Junior Minister for Culture and Tourism Hon Luce D. Hodge Smith said Mr Creque is a true cultural pillar of Virgin Gorda.

She said Mr Creque is a respected musician, a passionate advocate for hospitality and cultural preservation, a champion for youth and sports development, and a strong supporter of education and youth development.

“His most widely recognised contribution to our community is his deep love for fungi music, as a long-standing member of Leon and the Hot Shots fungi band.”

Hon Hodge-Smith also said Mr Creque has been an “integral part of the VG Easter Festival Committee” and has held many important positions on it.

She said Mr Creque “is truly deserving of the honour.”

In response, Mr Creque said he was grateful to be the honouree this year and that he felt like a “celebrity” with the recognition he has been receiving as a result.

He wished everyone a safe and enjoyable festival.

The Virgin Gorda Easter Festival turns 58 this year, having started in 1967.