I am ecstatically blessed to live in a place where, despite the utterances by some to the contrary, we value and actively support tradition, heritage, culture and the ties that bind us as a Greater Virgin Islands community.
These values were on full display at Emancipation Garden, St. Thomas on the Saturday of the Labor Day Weekend during the League of British Virgin Islanders 1st Annual Cultural Extravaganza. It was a great day filled with quelbe/fungi, steel band and DJ music, cultural dance presentations and dancers, including moko jumbies, storytelling, genealogy, local foods, drinks, clothing, arts and crafts, as well as local vendors from the BVI and here.
It was a wonderful time of friendship, rekindling of family ties and, most of all, family-friendly fun.
Thank you to our sponsors for supporting this endeavor: Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, Delegate Stacey Plaskett, Edgar “Baker” Phillips, Arian’s Restaurant and Sole to Soul Shoe Boutique.
I also extend special thanks to Mr. Aaron Parillon and the Razor Blades Band of Tortola, British Virgin Islands, as well as to Ms. Janice Stoutt and the culture bearers of the British Virgin Islands, along with each of the other participants in our program of activities — DJ Danielle, GenFusion Steel Orchestra, 340 Cultural Dancers, Mungo Niles Cultural Dancers, Sankofa Cultural Group, Ms. Nadine Marchena Kean, Glen “Kwabena” Davis and Mr. Leayle Robinson.
We are grateful to each participating vendor: Nibbs Cuisine on Wheels, Wizard Fish and Chips Inc., Motherland Expressions and Natural Origin, Ellie’s Afrocentric Collection, Devery Phipps, 3 Little Birds Bakeshop and Catering Services, Something and Everything, A-1 Tasty Ice Cream, Martha Lettsome Business, Arts and Craft, ED Sweets, Healthy Snacks on Wheels, Xiomy’s Boutique, Delegate Stacey Plaskett, Family Resource Center, and the League of British Virgin Islanders.
To those who provided additional support, you are appreciated greatly: Virgin Islands Police Department (Police Chief Deborah Hodge and Traffic Bureau), Department of Sports, Parks and Recreations, Department of Tourism, Mr. Ulric Ferrari, Robert Buscome, former Sen. Stedmann Hodge, Mr. Henry Thomas, Excel Pickup, LLC, WSTA Radio Station, “Pass It On” radio show, and the members of the League of British Virgin Islanders.
Most of all, we are very happy to have been able to share our Cultural Extravaganza with the hundreds of people who came out from throughout the Greater Virgin Islands, including St. Croix, St. John, Thomas and Tortola, to join in the fun.
On behalf of the members of the League of British Virgin Islanders, thank you to everyone who supported, participated or attended our 1st Annual Cultural Extravaganza. We eagerly look forward to seeing you at next year’s Cultural Extravaganza.
— Moleto A. Smith Jr., President, League of British Virgin Islanders
