The recently concluded Anguilla Summer Festival 2013, can be dubbed a success. This would not have been possible without the efforts and contributions of many persons.I publicly thank the Chairman and members of the Anguilla Summer Festival Committee and the Chairman and members of the Anguilla Boat Racing Committee for a well- organized and executed week of carnival and boat racing events. You continue to volunteer your time, talents and efforts to making our greatest cultural showcase a reality, and we are exceedingly grateful.
Gratitude is also extended to the business community and to the many community-minded persons who came on board to ensure that the summer festival had a full slate of events. With the many challenges Government had in properly financing the summer festival, your contribution was invaluable in making it a success. To the many vendors, contractors and suppliers who continue to support the festival in difficult circumstances, sincere thanks are extended.
I must thank the many persons who participated in the various carnival shows and congratulate those who emerged as winners. The performances at all shows were of a high standard and I have no doubt that the winners will represent Anguilla well over the course of the next year. Thanks are also extended to those who continue to keep the passion for boat racing alive by their participation in races. Congratulations as well to the winning boats whose captain and crew would have demonstrated good teamwork and skill in sailing to victory.
Appreciation is also expressed to the Anguillian public for your support of the various events during the day and night and especially for the marked improvement in the participation in the Parade of Troupes. Your participation truly kept the spirit of this cultural event alive and made it all worthwhile.
Special thanks and commendations are extended to the Commissioner and other ranks of the Royal Anguilla Police Force for a superb job in ensuring the safety of the public during the summer festivities. This must have taken tremendous planning and we are proud that through the efforts of our Police Force and the cooperation of the public, we had a peaceful but fun-filled festival. It would be remiss of me not to also thank the private security providers who did a thorough job in ensuring that security at the events was not compromised. You demonstrated through your professionalism that you understood the seriousness of your role.
Government must now continue its efforts to establish suitable mechanisms to ensure the viability and growth of the Anguilla Summer Festival with the full recognition of its importance as a cultural showcase and an economic driver. We trust that our efforts will have the support of the Anguillian community as we build a festival of which we can all be proud.
Honourable Jerome Roberts
Minister of Culture
15th August 2013
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
