Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration, Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) says he remains pleased and humbled at the turnout as well as the sponsor support for his annual Santa Parade on Virgin Gorda which happened yesterday Sunday, December 19, 2021. Photo: Team of Reporters

Scenes from the Annual Santa Parade 2021 on Virgin Gorda in the Virgin Islands. Photo: Team of Reporters

Hon Wheatley said due to the efficiency of the parade, the event wrapped up at around four pm, 'which is a historic record,' he said. Photo: Team of Reporters

Volunteers for the event help distribute sweets as well as for past of the parade procession. Photo: Team of Reporters

Scenes from the Annual Santa Parade 2021 on Virgin Gorda in the Virgin Islands. Photo: Team of Reporters

“I must say today I was very moved by the level of support not just from persons in the community, but also from our sponsors… persons hearing about it actually reached out to us to say... how can I contribute to this?”

Hon Wheatley was at the time speaking to Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) last evening, where he alluded to the success of the event and noted that the parade had a difference for 2021.  

Parade was incredibly efficient - Hon Wheatley 

“We did something different this year that we had never done before, in that we had two Santa Clause. Once we get from North Sound to the Valley, one went from Speedy’s Corner South and one went from Speedy’s West, it was incredibly efficient.” 

He said due to the efficiency of the parade, the event wrapped up at around four pm, “which is a historic record."

"In the past, we've oftentimes finished five to six-thirty, but in having done this for many, many years now refining or approach to this, so I was very, very pleased,” he added. 

Hon Wheatley further thanked the sponsors and volunteers for their record turn out and as well as members of the public who came out to support the event.

“We had a record number of volunteers and sponsors who showed up to take part in this 9th District Christmas? There's no Christmas like a 9th District Christmas!,” he said.