It was perhaps the largest gathering seen at Festival Del Mar this year when hundreds of people from across Anguilla, and many visitors, converged on Island Habour Bay over the past weekend, especially on the Saturday, March 31, the first day of the two-day event.
There was some uncertainty that the festival, now in its 11th year, would have taken place this time mainly due to Hurricane Irma. Another factor that threatened the festival was the weather which recently gave rise to high waves washing ashore – followed days later by a considerable amount of sea moss which littered the beach. Up to a day or two before the event, heavy equipment had to be used to clean the beach but on the weekend of the festival a heavier and murky flow of sea moss washed up thus preventing children and adults from swimming in the inshore waters.
Undaunted, the large crowd filled every available space on the beach and the adjoining main road, while also taking shelter from the sweltering heat of the sun among the hastily erected food booths and tents. Culinary delights of fried fish, johnny cakes and other cultural dishes, sold at exorbitant prices, appeared everywhere, keeping vendors busy and almost unable to meet the demands of patrons and the competition itself. Music blared from the main stage where local bands and entertainers performed continuously, lending much zest and delight to the festival and the other activities.
The activities included a deep sea fishing competition which saw the weighing of large species of tuna, dolphin and wahoo caught mainly by fishermen from Anguilla and St. Martin; boat races; swimming races; and several culinary competitions.
Festival Del Mar is an Island Harbour community-driven event with sponsorships from the Anguilla Tourist Board, the Department of Youth and Culture and various private sector groupings; and is organised by a hard-working committee.
Deputy Chairman, Mr. Othlyn Vanterpool, speaking at the opening ceremony on Saturday night, said: “First of all, I want to apologise for all the shortcomings and hiccups we have had. I know that some of you are disappointed at the way the beach looks, but we have to allow nature to take its course. This year was a very trying year for the Festival Del Mar Committee. All of us know that Hurricane Irma did a lot of damage to Anguilla but because of the resilient people we are, we decided not to stay down. We were having second thoughts about this festival but we decided to have this event nevertheless. We are grateful to all of you for coming because without you we could not have a festival.”
Director of Youth and Culture, Mr. Bren Romney, stated in part: “Festival Del Mar is a celebration of all things of the sea and we want to thank the Island Harbour community for its leadership in bringing this festival to Anguilla. The sea and our seafaring heritage are unique to the island, but this community took the leadership in celebrating our heritage with an annual festival. We should always be grateful for the hard work and preparation that go into this event. This is a particularly special time for us because it is in the backdrop of Hurricane Irma. The fact that we are able to hold this festival, seeing the intensity of the damage that the island experienced and the setbacks that so many of us had to endure, speaks well to the resilience and strength of the Anguillian people and the communities that make up Anguilla – and for that we should compliment you.”
Mr. Romney continued: “Anguilla, unlike most of the other Caribbean territories which were affected in the 2017 hurricane season, had a very strong rebound and a very purpose-filled one. We are not back entirely, but we are very close to restoring all that was lost.
“I also want to say a very hearty thank you to the visitors to the island. I was very pleased throughout the year to see so many tourists and family and friends who came from abroad for the festival. That is encouraging and it speaks again to the resilience of our people – and more so to the message getting out there that Anguilla is back and open to business.
“I also want to say a hearty thank you not just to the committee, but all the vendors and sponsors who made this festival possible for coming on board in very difficult times. It is a testament as well to your commitment to the development of Anguilla and the preservation of its culture and way of life.
“A hearty thank you to the Anguilla Tourist Board for all of its hard work in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma in getting the message of our resilience, and the message that we are open for business, out to the wider world. What we are seeing here today is that the message is a resounding one and that visitors are slowly, but surely, returning to our shores to celebrate events like this with us.”
Mrs. Shellya Rogers-Webster, Manager of Corporate Affairs for the Anguilla Tourist Board, congratulated the Festival Del Mar Committee, and the vendors, on behalf of the Directors and Staff of the Tourist Board. “I think we at the Tourist Board can agree that Festival Del Mar is a wonderful part of our tourism product,” she acknowledged. “It is important for us to ensure that we have a great experience once we have our tourists on the island. We can market all we want but, if when they are in Anguilla, and have nothing to do and enjoy, it does not worth it; and I am so glad that we at the Anguilla Tourist Board can remain committed to ensuring that Festival Del Mar is a continued success.
“I wish to welcome all of our guests to Anguilla. I met a number of them today who came from St. Martin and St. Barths. It is really a pleasure to have all of you. I also want to say thank you to all of you from Chicago in the Midwest, who took the time to participate in the fishing tournament. I hope that you will encourage others in the United States to visit Anguilla and to participate in the fishing tournament next year.”
Festival Del Mar 2018 results are as follows:-
Saturday events:
1. Deep sea fishing Competition
Mr. Sergio Hodge Captain of Last Scamp accompanied by Mr. Claudius Carty and Mr. Mark NG-A-Mann out of Saint Maarten walked away with the trophy for the Biggest Overall single fish that weighed 59.96lbs, 1st place for the heaviest catch weighing 362.54lbs.
Real time Captain by Mr. Cody Wallace accompanied by Mr. Jamarl Carty, Mr. Vaughn Rogers and two visitors walked away with 362.44lbs placing them second for the heaviest overall catch.
2. Bottom Sea fishing
Lady Kesh out of Anguilla Captain by Mr. Naboth Richardson was the only participant in the bottom sea fishing. Mr. Richardson walked away with both trophies for the Heaviest Overall catch and the most fish totaling 93.04lbs.
3. Model Boat Race
1st place Mathias Pemberton
2nd place Peter Webster
4. Sunfish Race
Ciano Carter & Peter Webster ……….. 1st place
Mathias Pemberton & Kai Ruan ……. 2nd place
5. Class B Boat Race
1st place Dark Shadow
2nd place Stay Up
3rd place FS Tornado
Sunday activities results:-
1. Swimming Sprint Race took place from the pier out to a boat back to the pier:-
1st place Elise Larson
2nd place Sebastian Kortenoever
3rd place Mathias Pemberton
2. Swimming Relay Race from the Island pier to Scilly tagged his/her partner then back to the pier:-
1st place Evan Larson and Elise Larson
2nd place Billy and Blake Haynes
3rd place Daren Carty & Mathias Pemberton
3. Class A Elliot Memorial Webster Boat Race took place from Sandy Ground to Island Harbour:-
1st place Speed ‘n’ Comfort
2nd place Light ‘n Peace
3rd place Blue Bird
4th place Satellite
