The 2023 Summer Festival, including the annual Carnival celebrations, came to an end on Sunday, August 13th with the Champion of Champions Boat Races.
During the course of the last week in July and the first two weeks in August, Festival features included the Prince and Princess Competition; the Talented Teen Competition; Carnival Opening Night; the Calypso Monarch Competition; Eyes Wide Shut Overnight Party; the South Valley Community Street Festival and Bacchanal Saturday; the J’ouvert Morning and Caribbean Beach Party; the Miss Anguilla Queen Pageant; Poker Run Boating Party; Leeward Islands Calypso Competition; the Parade of Troupes; a week of boat racing and the Champ of Champs Boat Races.
The Anguillian systematically reported on the Prince and Princess Competition as well as the Talented Teen Contest in previous issues.
The following is a synopsis of five of the major events – the Soca Monarch Competition, the Miss Anguilla Queen Pageant, the Calypso Competition, the Leeward Islands Calypso Competition and the Parade of Troupes.
The Soca Monarch Competition took place at the Landsome Bowl Cultural Center on the evening of Friday, August 4th. The winning performer was Mr. Decent, followed by 1st Runner-up Soddi and 2nd Runner-up Yamma.
The Miss Anguilla Pageant Show took place on the evening of Tuesday, August 8th. Taking the crown as Miss Anguilla 2023 was Ms. Jackeedah Bryan. She was followed by the 1st Runner-up, Miss Bonnie Ruan.
The Landsome Bowl was again abuzz with excitement on the night of August 9th when the Local Calypso Competition was held. Crowned winner was Roxy with her songs “Ponkalinky” and “Winner”. She was followed by Springer who sang “We Free” and “Growing Pains”. The 2nd Runner-up was Mr. Decent with his two tunes, “Hang Dem” and “Tail Waggin’ de Dog”.
The Leeward Islands Calypso Contest was staged at the Bowl on the night of Saturday, August 12th. It was a very tight contest to say the least. Queen Roxy, the reigning Leeward Islands Monarch, sang “Winner” and “Women Doing that too” but she was dethroned by ‘The Voice’ of Montserrat who rigorously performed his two tunes, “Diamond” and “Don’t Wake the Bear”. Roxy came in as 1st Runner-up, and 2nd Runner-up position was taken by Young Destroyer of Antigua, with his two renditions, “Back of the Bus” and “Defending My Flag”.
Counting down to the ending of the Festival, revelers hit the streets of The Valley for the colorful annual Parade of Troupes on Friday, August 11th. This event was unfortunately marred by the death of a young man through a gun shooting incident.
The winners for the various categories of the Parade were as follows:
For the Children’s Troupes, the winner was the Island Majorettes with 449 points. In the adults’ category, the winner was the Players Troupe which amassed a total of 743 points. The 1st Runner-up was Legacy 264 which garnered 718 points, and in the 2nd Runner-Up position was The Feelo’Je Experience which was able to capture a total of 643 points. King of the Band was Yerdi Fleming, while Queen of the Band was Kafi-Gumbs Wallace.
Throughout the course of the Festival, several boat races took place, culminating with the Champion of Champions Races on Sunday, August 13th, which officially ended Summer Festival 2023. The Wizard was the boat that dominated the waves, winning on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and on Sunday.
The races drew enthusiastic crowds during the entire week including the Champions.
Summer Festival 2023 was enjoyed by all those who attended the various events including hundreds of Anguillians who came home for the first time since the COVID Pandemic of 2020 and 2021 (and the early part of 2022).
The Anguillian extends congratulations to all of the winners and the other participants too.
