With some twelve thousand US dollars raised in donations, the Blowing Point Community Group is all set for the boat-race and beach party to be held at that southerly coastal village in Anguilla on August Wednesday.
The main fundraiser was the Elected Representative for the Road South District (which includes Blowing Point), Mr. Curtis Richardson. “As I said before, the Blowing Point Community Group is responsible for all of the activities in the community,” Mr. Richardson commented. “Even if I take up an activity I go to the group because I need its support. It is a very strong working group and we want to keep the August Wednesday Blowing Point boat race alive. We added the beach party which we are growing.
“My responsibility to the group is simply to find the finance, so I took on the responsibility to find the US$12,000 for the budget that the group presented to me. It is 6,500 for the boat-race and 5,500 for the beach party. The latter amount is to pay the musical bands, buy food and refreshments for vendors to sell at the function, clean the beach and provide the stage.
“The 5,500 dollars came from ANGLEC and NAGIO for the beach party and the associated activities. The 6,500 dollars is to pay all the prizes for the boat race. I thank everybody who supported me. Most of the funds came from a gentleman in Canada, Howard Rosen, and I put in the balance. I have contacted other persons for their support and that’s the way we will finance the US$12,000.”
Mr. Richardson continued: “Marie Connor, the Treasurer for the Blowing Point Community Group, said there was a need for an additional band and one or two more events for the beach party. She is therefore expecting me to raise another 2,500 dollars.”
Ms. Connor explained that the additional band is Panther Vibes. “This band attracts the younger generation so we want an all-inclusive entertainment,” she stated. “We have other bands like Boss & His Horsepower Band, North Sound Explosion and the Mussington Brothers – all of which appeal to the older persons, but the younger group unanimously consented to Panther Vibes. Then we have a big increase in the lighting facilities, staging and security. These, including Panther Vibes, have increased our budget to 2,500 dollars. We think that all of these will add some value to the beach party.”
The 6,500 dollars for the boat race was presented to the President of the Anguilla Boat-Racing Committee, Ms Atrene Pemberton who is responsible for the holding of the August boat races at Sandy Ground, Island Harbour, Meads Bay and Blowing Point. “I think all Elected Representatives and Ministers should look out for their districts as Curtis Love is doing for Blowing Point, “ Ms. Connor said. “I really appreciate what he has done. This shows leadership.”
Speaking about the prizes for the boat-race, Mr. Richardson listed the donors and the amount of sponsorships as follows: Mr. Howard Rosen: US$1,500 for the first prize, and Belmond Cap Juluca a one-night stay for two; Innovative Construction Company: US $1,400 for the second prize and Resorts & Residences by CuisinArt one-night stay for two; Freedom Rentals and Junie’s Car Rental: US$1,300 for the third prize; Greig’s Trucking and Anguilla Gases: US$1,200 for the fourth prize; Bennett’s Construction and Sandy Island Cruises: US$1,100 for the 5th prize.
It is expected that there will be a total of 12 boats participating in the August Wednesday boat race scheduled to commence at 1.00 pm at Road Bay, Sandy Ground. Arrangements have been made to reposition the stake boat higher up in the Blowing Point Harbour – and some of the overgrowth at the shoreline has been removed to provide spectators with a better view of the racing boats as they enter the area.
