Virgin Islands residents and visitors will have two new options for ringing in 2024, and organisers have already started promoting both.
In Road Town, Tortola Pier Park Ltd. will feature live music, movie showings, a Coney Island-themed fair, and more at Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park on New Year’s Eve.
The same night on Virgin Gorda, St. Thomas hip-hop duo R. City will headline a new celebration hosted by the VG Yacht Harbour under the theme “More for 2024.”
The events will be added to the usual celebrations at Foxy’s on Jost Van Dyke and Trellis Bay on Beef Island to make at least four major events planned in the territory that night.
Pier park
During a press conference on Tuesday morning, pier park officials said they aim to provide family-friendly fun with a laser light show and other safe activities.
“We are a five-acre facility that’s in the heart of Road Town,” TPPL Business and Marketing Manager Zoe Walcott said, adding, “I think we are the premier package. I’m expecting our numbers will be high.”
As the community rings in the New Year, she added, it shouldn’t come at the cost of taxpayer dollars.
“We are expecting this to turn a profit,” Ms. Walcott said.
Official festivities are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. across the pier park.
Hashim the Dream, acting as host, will oversee performances by Vibe, Xtreme Band, Ova Drive Band, and deejays from The Association throughout the night, organisers said.
“One of the things we’re excited about, like Zoey said, is the performers,” said Kevin Fahie of Caribbean Cellars, who also attended the press conference. “It’s an exciting time, the line-up is amazing. I think it’s about time Pier Park did something like this.”
A total of three movies will also be shown, starting at 7 p.m. The movie list has not been decided yet, because members of the public have been asked to vote on social media what they would like to see featured.
Coney Island
Perhaps the biggest draw for children will be the Coney Island amusement park to be set up near the whale sculpture.
“We’re going to have at least eight rides. So we are bringing Coney Island to the pier park— not just for New Year’s Eve, but it’s going to be here for the Christmas season,” Ms. Walcott explained.
No ‘Winter Wonderland’
The “Winter Wonderland” usually hosted by VI Search and Rescue, however, will be held at Nanny Cay this year instead of the pier park.
“We were sad that [VISAR] could not be here this year, but we felt that this was a major opportunity,” she said.
A quintessential part of the Coney Island experience, however, may or may not be available during the festivities.
“I can put a request in for chili dogs,” Ms. Walcott said in response to a Beacon question on the matter.
Parking, entry cost
Currently, whether or not water taxis will be allowed to offload passengers at the pier park is up for debate, but Ms. Walcott said organisers are working to allow access from the jetty.
Various tiers of parking will be offered, ranging in price from $20 to $50 depending on proximity to the pier park.
Entry will cost $10 for ages 12 and up, and children under 12 will enter free. Each attendee will receive a “passport” containing coupons redeemable at Pier Park businesses.
“As you’re making your rounds, you might get a one-for-one, a two-for-two,” Ms. Walcott said. “And once we give out the passport, the good thing is it doesn’t end on New Year’s Eve. So for some of them, you’ll see there is an expiration date that may go until the end of January.”
VG event
Across the water, Virgin Gorda will have a new event of its own the same night. Hosted by the VG Yacht Harbour, “More for 2024” will be the first New Year’s Eve celebration of its kind on the sister island, organisers said in a press release issued on Monday.
The show by headliner R. City will come in the wake of the hip-hop duo’s first album since 2017, which is scheduled to launch tomorrow.
“Those taking part in the celebrations for More for 2024 in Virgin Gorda will be the first to experience R. City’s new music live, and we are all thrilled to be able to share this experience with fans and family in Virgin Gorda,” group manager Benny Demus said in the press release. “R. City is prepping to give BVI an unforgettable performance to usher in what we all hope will be a great 2024.”
The event will also feature several performers from this territory, organisers said.
“If you like fungi music, Leon and the Hotshots and Razor Blades will be performing live,” Property Manager Alejandro Chometowski said in the press release. “If you like calypso and soca, Evolution Band promises to keep our spirits up throughout the night. And if you are looking for original Virgin Islands calypso and cover music, Elvis White and Final Faze will keep you dancing all night long.”
The VG event is free, but VIP tickets are for sale at www.vgyh.events.