As residents rang in the New Year across the territory, new celebrations were hosted at the Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour and the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park, joining the usual parties at Trellis Bay and Jost Van Dyke.
At those four events alone, an estimated 9,000-plus people celebrated over the course of the evening, according to organisers.
Many business owners reported that they were finally beginning to see a return to normally-sized crowds after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Foxy’s
“It was delightful,” Foxy’s Director Justine Callwood said. “I think the numbers are possibly the same, if not a little bit more.”
After hosting the 3G’s on Dec. 30, Foxy’s offered a set list that included Kranium, Type of Toad, and Motto.
Ms. Callwood said the crowd was “an exquisite balance” of residents and visitors.
“The early part of the party was predominantly tourists,” she said. “But by the time you hit 11 p.m., the ferries, the private boats, everybody started rolling in, and between 11 p.m. and about 3:30 a.m., it was just very solid. Very solid.”
Pier Park
Back on Tortola, the new event at the pier park drew more than 3,000 people, according to Tortola Pier Park Limited Business and Marketing Manager Zoe Walcott.
Besides rides and movies, the event featured a laser light show as an alternative to fireworks.
Ms. Walcott said attendees could hear children in the movie screening area calling out the various pictures lasered on the hill across from the pier.
She added that the pier park is already planning another event soon: a celebration of its eighth anniversary on Feb. 16.
“Four stars will be placed within the pier park honouring persons that have helped to shape and make the Virgin Islands what it is,” she said. “And we get to tell their story as part of the pier park experience.”
Yacht Harbour
Across the water, the VG Yacht Harbour hosted a new event themed “More for 2024.”
It was also the first major event for recently appointed Yacht Harbour General Manager Alejandro Chometowski, who estimated that the crowd peaked at about 1,500 when rap duo R. City took the stage later in the night.
“It was a very delightful, long night, starting in the early evening with all the people visiting the area,” Mr. Chometowski said. “All those who had children came in, and they were so happy to be able to enjoy part of the night with their kids in this very nice ‘kindergarten’ place set up in the building.”
According to the general manager, while music fans cheered the performers, children had the opportunity to ride a mechanical bull and an inflatable slide, play games, and create art.
Most attendees were residents, with about 30 percent tourists, he estimated.
He added that many people came and went from one local event to another, touring what the territory had to offer for the New Year.
Trellis Bay
Across the territory at Beef Island, Trellis Bay saw fewer celebrants than in pre-pandemic times, but around 1,500 still attended, according to Trellis Bay Market Bar and Grill General Manager Shamora Penn-Maduro.
Ms. Penn-Maduro said these numbers were roughly equivalent to last year’s event, held about five months before the COVID-19 pandemic officially ended.
“[Crowd size] is not back to normal yet,” she said. “But as we continue to invite people back to the BVI, it will get there. But the numbers are not there yet.”