The Whit Monday holiday in Anguilla has become synonymous with Welches Fest. This cultural event, which took place this year on Monday 29th May, attracted hundreds of local residents as well as friends who come over from neighbouring St. Martin/St. Maarten to enjoy the ambiance of fine local food, a little frolic and local music.
This year persons were treated to the taste of delicious delicacies from the various Caribbean natives who have made Anguilla their home.
The Welches Fest dates back to fifteen years ago, when the children of the late Maxwell Vanterpool, all of whom are noted for native cooking and traditional games, came up with the brilliant idea to put on an annual gig.
It was the actual brainchild of Teacher Susan Vanterpool-Smith.
At its inception, however, the purpose of the Welches Fest was to simply teach the young people of the village the traditional ways of life, including past recreational norms and traditional cookery with an emphasis on upholding the old folkloric trait of jollification.
According to Susan’s sister, Melsadis Vanterpool Fleming, the event began in a very unusual manner. She told The Anguillian: “Several of the villagers, after deciding to share their knowledge of past customs with the village’s children, made financial contributions toward the idea in an effort to see it mobilized as an annual function. Donation sheets were prepared, and members of the public were willing to contribute towards the worthy cause. Business places also contributed by providing required goods and raw material for cooking.”
“Our first event was held at the same site, the Fredrick O. Harrigan Playing Field, on Whit Monday of 2008,” Melsadis noted. “All the eats and drinks were prepared by the villagers.”
“That day, the children were given the opportunity to play traditional games like rollers, marbles, knickers and cherry-nuts, top spinning and kite flying among other activities,” she said. “It was really a great day for fun and wholesome frolic.”
“Brother Lee, of Radio Station Kool FM, on his programme ‘Culturally Yours’, gave us great promotion when he heard of this cultural event in Welches. He came to Welches on that notable day and broadcast the event live,” she said. “This caused the public to believe that ours was a grand public event taking place in the little quaint village. Persons from all across the island gathered at the venue with the intention of purchasing traditional food and taking part in the activities.”
“However, there was nothing to buy. Everything for that first event was free,” she reminisced. “That was the beginning of Welches Fest. Since then, we have grown by leaps and bounds. Fifteen years later, we have developed to be one of Anguilla’s prime annual events.”
“This year, we had an added feature,” Melsadis said, “where the organizers of the Fest decided to include a fun-filled Caribbean Unity Pageant, which involved participants from across the Caribbean. Five countries participated in this first pageant, which featured young ladies from Jamaica, Dominica, Anguilla, St. Kitts & Nevis and St. Vincent & the Grenadines.”
“This Welches Fest Pageant drew people from every walk of life in Anguilla, who flocked to the field to view and enjoy the new feature. Comments following the pageant were all positive and encouraging. It is our aim to keep on enhancing the Fest with new features in the future.”
“The Welches Fest Committee extends heart-filled thanks to the entire Anguillian community who has supported our events over the years,” Melsadis said. “We will endeavour to make Welches Fest better each year, all for your enjoyment.”
