With the Anguilla Summer Festival beginning during the first week of August, various participants at all levels have been entertained at a welcome reception at Government House by Governor Christina Scott.
She told them on Thursday evening, July 20, that they were involved in an event which was playing an important part in the economy of Anguilla and the entertainment of the community including visitors.
The Governor, now approaching the end of her tenure, said in part: “This will be my fifth carnival in Anguilla and I am really looking forward to it again. It is a real pleasure and privilege to have you here and to thank you in person for the contribution you make. It is such an important event.”
Mr. Cardigan Connor, Parliamentary Secretary, Tourism and Culture, expressed appreciation to all persons for their work notwithstanding the attendant challenges they are experiencing. “I think collectively we have to support each other so wherever there is an event we need to show up and give the best that we can,” he said. He was grateful to the Governor for her role especially for raising the profile of boat-racing.
Chairperson of the Summer Festival, Ms. Lisa Rey, remarked that she had taken on her biggest task of chairing the cultural event. “We thank our participants because without them we would not be able to have a successful carnival,” she continued. “This year we made a few changes and we are thankful that persons have been receptive to those changes. We want to welcome everyone to participate in this year’s carnival festivities from August 2 to 13. I would like to thank Governor Scott for her support. I don’t think we ever had a Governor before who was so receptive of carnival, and I know for a fact that we will miss her very much.”
Among the gathering were many young people, some of them involved in the Ms. Anguilla Pageant, Scotiabank Talented Teen Pageant and the Junior Calypso Competition. They were accompanied by members of the Summer Festival Committee and other stakeholders.
