Besides being an opening event for the Anguilla Summer Festival, the South Valley Street Festival is proving to be a growing activity on the island.
The annual event is holding a competitive position among other similar functions normally held elsewhere in Anguilla, on different occasions, as was seen on Saturday, August 3, 2019.
On that date, the Royal Anguilla Police Force set up roadblocks on the main street through the village where lines of tents and crowds of people, from the area and across the island, occupied every available road-side space. Food and drink of every description transformed the event into a big party-like function, while attractive works of arts and crafts showcased the artistic talent of a number of exhibitors. Children’s games, particularly provided by a bouncing castle, and entertainment by musical bands, added much to the event.
The South Valley Street Festival was organised by a hand-picked committee from the area with Lydia Levons being one of the leading persons. Another committee member, Jason Brooks, busied himself by making certain that all aspects of the festival went as planned.
“This is the 9th Annual South Valley Street Festival,” he proudly told The Anguillian newspaper. “This festival was created by Lydia Levons. We now have on board Roy Carty who is the Chairman. We also have Shanelle Reid and I as part of the club. We also have a number of other executive members including Carlin Carty and Shemica Gumbs.
“We decided to take to the streets on the first weekend of August. Among other things, we are showcasing various foods in our village. South Valley is known to be a close-knit community. Lydia decided that she wanted to showcase the talents and different cultures of the people living in our village. We also have among us Guyanese, Kittitians, Philippine nationals and others adding much to the cross-culture in Anguilla.”
Among the large crowd were the Elected Representative for Valley South, Premier Victor Banks, and the Parliamentary Secretary responsible for culture, Mr. Cardigan Connor.
Mr. Banks commented: “I think the South Valley Community Street Festival is continuing to reach higher heights in preparing many of our people for carnival. It is a shoulder event for carnival, and the folks have come out in their numbers to celebrate with us and to make sure that this carnival season begins with a bang.
“I am happy to be here, and I thank all the persons in the community who put this event together, every year, for all of us to have a great time.”
