Sir Olva Georges Plaza was abuzz with the Christmas spirit Saturday night as the Lions Club of Tortola kicked off its annual holiday festivities with its Christmas Tree Lighting and Concert.
Vendors set up at the entrance to the plaza along Waterfront Drive, slinging hot dogs, popcorn, candy and toys.
Many attendees thronged around the Christmas tree, while others lined the benches of the plaza or huddled under the eaves of Naturally Tasty by Rotiman.
The event, which has been a holiday staple for the past 46 years, commenced with the national anthem and territorial song sung by Amanda Penn. Then, Deputy Governor David Archer Jr., Tourism and Culture Junior Minister Luce Hodge-Smith and Reverend Errol Connor addressed the crowd on the importance of giving, kindness and gratitude.
“Help someone during this time,” Ms. Hodge-Smith urged the crowd.
Traditional ‘lime’
Lions President Faith Dawson described the event, which was themed “The Gift of Christmas,” as a traditional “lime” with family, friends, food, drink and music.
“We wanted to bring the community together as part of our service to said community [by commemorating] the Christmas season, and also have an event that would bring together persons in the community in a social gathering, almost as a third space in the community,” she told the Beacon.
Master of ceremonies Marvin Grant kept the energy high, while the BVI Sky Dancers made the crowd part of the show as children rode a conga line between their legs.
Throughout the event, light rain occasionally sent spectators scrambling for shelter, while those with umbrellas remained undeterred. Other performers included violinist Kyle Moses, members of the BVI Dance School, and the Elmore Stoutt High School Lady Rams.
Organiser Shondel Desent stressed the importance of preserving the territory’s traditional celebration of the holiday, saying there is something for everyone, from fungi music to local cuisine.
She told the Beacon, “We don’t want to lose our tradition as things change going forward.
“We still want to have that base of our tradition so the younger generation can know and remember how things were.”
‘Serving the public’
Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley arrived toward the end of the event, fresh from his visit to the United Kingdom. With the help of the audience, he performed impromptu renditions of “Silver Bells” and “O Holy Night.”
“For me, [this event] means service,” Mr. Wheatley told the Beacon at the event. “Serving the public. And of course around Christmas time, those persons who are vulnerable and who are in need need to have particular attention, because they may feel extra sad around this time of year if they don’t have people around them who can give them support.”