A procession of about 30 people carrying bright lanterns marched from the entrance of Little Apple Bay, down the road and through the gates of the Carrot Bay Festival Village on Thursday night. 
Soon after, the local fungi band Serenaders took the stage, and with it, the official opening ceremony of the Benito Potter Festival began.
“Are you all glad to be in Carrot Bay tonight?” said Andrew Fahie (R-D1) said, to which the crowd responded with cheers. “And are you all glad to be free?”
Mr. Fahie emphasised the importance of remembering the struggles and hardships of enslaved ancestors.
“I want to make sure that when you come into Carrot Bay you will celebrate with great respect our foreparents’ fighting for our freedom,” he said. “And make sure you sit your children down and that they understand it.”
Before leaving the podium, the opposition member turned his attention to Minister of Education and Culture Myron Walwyn and thanked him for supporting the event.
“Festival transcends politics,” Mr. Fahie said. “It’s a celebration of our freedom so it’s one of those areas that transcends politics.”
Mr. Walwyn took the podium next, and spoke about the importance of passing the culture of the Virgin Islands onto future generations.
“I find the festival in Carrot Bay to be the most cultural of all the events,” he said. “Culture, especially to young people, is very, very important.”
The Carrot Bay festivities began Thursday with the Benito Potter Fisherman’s Tournament. Events continue Friday afternoon with donkey races, contests for children, a pig roast, and other activities.
See the Aug. 15, 2013 edition for full coverage.
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