A new Chairman is in place for Festival Del Mar, a popular annual village event at Island Harbour, now in its eighth year. He is Mr Matthew (Mic) Webster, who is also involved in the ownership of Anguilla Sea Salt Company and Mini Golf Course there. He succeeds past Chairman, Mr Othlyn Vanterpool, who is the current Elected Representative for District 1 in the Anguilla House of Assembly.
The forthcoming Festival Del Mar event is planned for April 4 and 5. Mic spoke to The Anguillian on Monday this week. “In terms of plans, there is nothing different than what has been done. All the hard work has already been put in place for the past years of Festival Del Mar being in existence,” he acknowledged. “It is just a matter of maintaining the hard work everyone created, and keeping everyone on the team and focussed goal. This is the second largest event that Anguilla has and we can do some great things with it.
“We may tweet a few things, to give a little surprise to those who have been coming on a regular basis. We want to make sure that we give all of our participants what they have always received; we want to make sure all visitors receive a taste of Island Harbour that they never experienced before. It is a honour and a pleasure to take on the title of chairman, but I don’t want to get caught up in the title. I have a good team behind me and everybody is doing an awesome job to make this event a success.”
Asked to name his team, he replied: “We have Barbara Webster-Bourne; Monique Webster; Freddy Harrigan; Vanier Harrigan; Vonnie Harrigan; Patricia Harrigan; and Kelly Harrigan. It is quite a few more who I can’t think of on the top of my head, but we have some great key supporters.”
Mic was further asked why he thought the people of Island Harbour should be proud of Festival Del Mar.
He responded: “Because it actually showcases what Island Harbour is all about. It is nothing made up; it is nothing we had to practice or do. This is pretty much what we do on a daily basis. In the eyes of the public, it may be an event that has been going on for the past seven or eight years but, in terms of the locals, Festival Del Mar takes place every day in Island Harbour. The food we eat, the fellowship we have with our neighbours down on the bay side, is always the same. We always have that intimate family feeling we have in Island Harbour. The environment, the pristine waters coming ashore, and just watching our harbour constitute something that is unique. We are a set of unique people, as Anguillians are on a whole, but in Island Harbour we just feel a little special. This is because we may be the last village in Anguilla having any type of development. We can actually see Island Harbour the same way it was forty or fifty years ago. It has that same look.”
Mic was asked what he had to say to Anguillians in the other villages.
“Please come and enjoy the festival,” he answered. “You are one of us. This is an Anguilla event. It just happens to be in Island Harbour and we want other people to enjoy what we enjoy every day. I know Island Harbour is a distance for some persons coming from West End, and so forth, but we need you to come. When you come, just relax and enjoy the food, other festivities and music. We want everyone to feel at home and welcome. It is like coming to a family member’s house and the door is wide open waiting for you. Come as you are. There is nothing extra you have to do to participate when it comes to Festival Del Mar.”
Mic added that the schedule of events would be published within a few weeks’ time.
