Mr. Merrick Richardson, Ministerial Assistant with responsibility for Social Development and Culture, has high commendation for several groups for providing entertainment in Anguilla over the August holiday period.
His comments came as a result of the official cancellation of the Anguilla Summer Festival due to the coronavirus, and the involvement of private persons to provide some forms of cultural events.
Those events included Emancipation Day street jamming on Saturday, August 1, and Monday, August 3; the Sunrise 2 Sunset Cultural Escape on Friday, August 7; and a series of boat races.
Speaking at the Sunrise 2 Sunset Cultural Escape, Mr. Richardson said: “It was good that persons took their own initiative especially realising that the Government had no funds to contribute to carnival. We were only able to contribute to one event, but imagine the bands had three j’ouverts; there was an event at Carnival Village; there is now this event in South Hill; and then there is poker run.
“As I said, it was good that persons took their own initiative into making us have a carnival experience. As a matter of fact, I can see carnival changing up as we go forward – with private persons running it instead of Government putting so much into it. That might be the way we are looking at it going forward.”
Mr. Richardson added: “Some people were of the opinion that there should not have been any events, but you have to also realise that persons are under stress and are not doing anything. Those who wondered why we were having the events, when persons would be spending money, they don’t have, should know that there are people who are making money. Look at this event today – there are at least eleven booths where persons, having no income, can sell food and drinks. That’s how money is circulating within in the island. In that regard, it is good.”
