With the Anguilla Summer Festival set for July 30 to August 9 this year, the organising Committee and the Ministry and Department of Culture, have had an early press launch of the varied activities. The launch was held on May 15 and chaired by Ms Shellya Rogers, Programme Officer in the Department of Youth and Culture.
Chairman of the Festival Committee, Mr. John Benjamin, was grateful to Mrs. Chanelle Petty Barrett, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, who initially met with him and other persons to discuss the Summer Festival. He was happy to have been asked to chair the 2015 Anguilla Summer Festival Committee.
He said he and his team were overwhelmed by the support they were receiving from a number of persons in Anguilla as well as in St. Martin/St. Maarten.
Mrs Petty Barrett told the gathering that all Anguillians “should be proud of the festival which marries both our African and maritime heritage and what has become a unique cultural mix”. She stated that “the festival is not only a time of revelry, but a vehicle that can be used to ensure that our history, traditions and cultural practices can be passed on from one generation to another”. She noted that “while we are very mindful of, and welcome the economic spin-off that the festival brings, for us the festival is much more than that. It is a national investment in cultural promotion and development”.
The Permanent Secretary continued: “This year we are particularly pleased to be celebrating the 75th anniversary of organised boat-racing in Anguilla. Boat-racing, as we know it, is at the heart and soul of every Anguillian and has its roots in our history of trade and survival. It is therefore fitting that we mark this significant milestone in some way. For this year’s festival, and beyond, we have to ensure that boat-racing is not overshadowed by other events, but is given its rightful prominence as our national sport.”
Mr. Cardigan Connor, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Culture, spoke about the involvement of a number of persons in West End, Long Bay, North Hill, and other parts of Anguilla, who had a long history in boat-racing.
He was pleased that the tradition of the August Thursday boat-racing was being brought back to Meads Bay, as part of the Summer Festival. He was grateful to all persons, particularly in West End, as well as the Summer Festival Committee, for working with him on that matter.
Mr Bren Romney, Director of Youth and Culture, congratulated the committee on the press launch of the Summer Festival and wished the members every success with the various activities. He was aware that they have a daunting task, and was grateful to the chairman and committee members for their dedication, hard work and self-sacrifice.
A number of sub-committee members gave a rundown of the activities being planned by their particular groups and the progress made so far. Among the speakers were representatives of LIME and DIGICEL who spoke about the sponsorship support being provided by their companies.
The opening night of the festival on July 30 will be preceded by the Miss Summer Swim Suit Competition on July 11. After that, will be the Miss Anguilla Swimsuit Competition on July 26, followed by the Soca Monarch Show on July 31.
The main activities will be as follows: August 1: Bandclash & Bandorama; August 2: Prince & Princess Pageant/Jr. Calypso Competition; August 3: J’ouvert & Caribbean Beach Party; August 4: Miss Talented Teen Pageant; August 5: Calypso Monarch; August 6: August Thursday Boat Race & Beach Party at Meads Bay; and Miss Anguilla Pageant; August 7: Parade of Troupes; August 8: Leeward Islands Calypso Monarch Competition; and August 9: Carnival Grand Finale.
