There was no official 2021 Summer Festival in Anguilla due to the COVID restrictions and protocols. But the enterprising Cap Juluca, a Belmond Hotel, was among a number of entities granted special permission to host separate cultural events.
Carnival Gala, held at Cap Juluca on July 31st, the eve of the historic Emancipation Day, has been described as a great success by persons who were among the large and colourful gathering of visitors and residents.
Three hundred VIP and Elite tickets, priced at US$100 and US$150 each, went on sale at various locations. They were virtually grabbed up by excitement-filled folks looking for an abundance of pleasure: 18-course dishes from the resort’s four top-notched restaurants, high-level spirited entertainment by local and visiting DJs, other musicians, and singers. Among the partners in the Gala was the Hennessey Company with its famous brand of drink.
Showcasing and modelling of attractive and festive attire, the honorary presence of former Anguillian Carnival Queens from 1990 to 2019, giveaways, prizes, surprises, and dancing were all part of the splendid and enjoyable event. The venue was the resort’s beautifully decorated and spacious Events Pavillion, perched on the elevated southern grounds of the five-star property, with an uninterrupted and sweeping view of the world-class Maundays Bay Beach.
Given the ticket prices, lavishness and the glamour of the occasion, one would think that Cap Juluca fetched a lot of money for its coffers. If so, you are wrong! Whatever money was obtained, it was committed to the “Julucan Cares Programme” – an employees’ fund created by Mr. and Mrs. Sarmento and a few Julucans, like Monica Bryan and Mitch Gumbs. This was right after Hurricane Irma in September 2017 -and further bolstered by several fund-raising events since then. The fund is a caring way for Cap Juluca not only to assist its employees in times of need, but to give back to Anguilla on a whole.
This was alluded to by the resort’s General Manager, Mr. Tiago Sarmento, when he spoke about the event and the caring interest in the Julucans for their many years of dedicated service to the property, and their contribution to guest services.
Mr. Sarmento said, his dream about the event started two or three years ago in the spirit of the legacy of Carnival in Anguilla – and its importance to the island and its people. He saw the beauty queens, over the years, as part of that legacy as well – and therefore undertook to invite them as Honorary Guests to the Carnival Gala. He was delighted to see many of them at the event among the throngs of people.
Mr. Kevin Carty, the Anguillian Resident Manager, also expressed delight with the Carnival Gala and its hosting for the benefit of the Julucans and, by extension, as means to give back to the people of the island who shared in the success of the resort over the years. “There has been a saying that if Cap Juluca does well, Anguilla also does well,” he recalled.
Much recognition has also been given to a number of the Julucan Committee members who shared in organising the Carnival Gala. The core persons included the long-serving Events Manager, Verna Rogers; Monica Bryan; and Ivan Connor who served as the resort’s Marketing Manager for Anguilla and Saint Martin – and was a main promoter of the event. With a number of family members employed at Cap Juluca and his own continuing close relationship there, he boasted: “Once a Julucan, always a Julucan.”
An important partner in the Carnival Gala was the Director of Tourism, Stacey Liburd. She lauded the partnership between Belmond Cap Juluca and the Tourist Board, and saw the event as a marketing opportunity to attract visitors to Anguilla as well as returning Anguillians needing to experience carnival and culturally-related events on the island. She was particularly pleased that it was being arranged for the Carnival Gala to be an annual event, thus encouraging its continued marketing abroad for many years to come.
Asked for his comments about the success of the Carnival Gala, Mr. Sarmento told The Anguillian newspaper:
“It was such an extraordinary event, so much better than I even had imagined. The Gala was the Cherry on the top that Carnival Week in Anguilla has now added to the menu, and for many years to come. It blended perfectly locals, residents, hotels’ and villas’ guests. Everyone dressed up with tremendous glamour and enjoyed the simplicity and positive energy that Cap Juluca emanates. Cheers to a new Legacy.”
