On Monday evening, a torchlight procession through Road Town will lead to the official ceremony kicking off the 70th August Emancipation Festival.
The opening at the Festival Village Grounds will be followed by 12 days of concerts, parades, services and other activities across Tortola in commemoration of the 190th anniversary of emancipation on Aug. 1, 1834.
“Emancipation represents not just the end of slavery, but the beginning of our journey towards freedom, self-governance and empowerment,” Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley said Friday, adding, “The Festival plays a significant role in the economic landscape of the Virgin Islands, attracting visitors and boosting our tourism sector.”
Despite some initial delays, Tourism Director Clive McCoy said he is confident that the events will start on schedule thanks to the hard work of the organising committees.
Yes, it is true that we got a little bit of a late start,” Mr. McCoy said. “Initially, the decision was made to move the festival village behind the administration complex, but then we were advised that for the safety of all the persons that would be in the village, we should not put it there this year.”
He added that he is expecting big things in the coming days. “We anticipate that the 70th is going to be an amazing Festival,” he said.
Festival grounds
The Festival Village Grounds — which this year will be named in honour of Jost Van Dyke native Larina Loretta Jacobs-Lamothe — was abuzz with activity this week as booths were constructed, the stage was erected and children’s rides were assembled.
James Lettsome, the village chairman, was at work at a booth set up for the Festivals and Fairs Committee and BVITB.
Mr. Lettsome told the Beacon that despite the tight timeline, preparations were progressing smoothly.
“It’s about getting the preparations at the last minute and getting everything in order,” he said. BVITB Public Relations Manager Keith Dawson agreed.
“It’s a very active site right now,” he said. “We have a lot of building guys here. The bottom line is ‘speed’ and ‘on time.’ I have every confidence that they would be able to open on time.”
New booth design
Most booths are being constructed from the usual plywood, but local entrepreneur Darwin “Chicken” Scatliffe — the lead vocalist of the Prime Time band — is pioneering a new design using shipping containers.
“We are actually looking the innovative way to erect quick and take down and move quick, because it’s a bit hectic when you’re building a booth,” Mr. Scatliffe said. “We’re just trying to find ways where we could lift up a booth and take it.”
Michael Clarke, the owner of Trader’s Choice Limited, was building the two container booths for him.
“It’s a stronger idea,” Mr. Clarke said. “You don’t have to buy materials every year. You just take it apart when you’re finished. Year after year, it can be reused.”
Artists on display The village is also a canvas for local artists.
On Tuesday, Phillip Lawrence was painting booth number 21 bright orange and blue.
“No other booth looks like this,” he said. “Me just do the painting like when pickney love to play.”
Meanwhile, artist and youth activist Via Donovan-Hodge was busy working on a mural for a booth named “The Attic Lounge” in tribute to The Attic bar in the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park.
“The concept behind the booth is that they wanted something very festive and colourful,” Ms. Donovan-Hodge said, adding, “We’re doing the front [of the booth] in black and white, and then pops of colour. And then all the colour will extend to the sides with bigger feathers.”
‘Strong Black Woman’
Unlike several other booths, she said, this one will focus exclusively on drinks.
Nearby, Rudolph Davis was painting booth number 27, which was adorned with the words “Strong Black Woman.”
“A lot of good things will happen here,” he said.
The booth, owned by Corinne MacFarlane, will feature traditional Virgin Islands dishes and Ms. MacFarlane’s daughter Shema MacFarlane bartending.
Soups and goat water
The younger Ms. MacFarlane explained that her mother has been involved in the festival village for more than 20 years and is known for creating well-known VI dishes.
“We’re mostly known for the soups that she does: conch soup, callaloo soup, whelk soup, goat water, stuff like that,” she said.
Tradition Other booths were painted to depict stories of local culture and heritage.
Booth number two, for instance, features a mural of a cruise ship arriving at Road Town.
Booth number five, owned by Brian “Matcha” Fahie, is decorated with paintings of lobster and fish.
Mr. Fahie — the proprietor of Marie’s Restaurant, which is also known as Matcha’s Sports Bar — was enthusiastic about sharing his family’s longstanding tradition.
“My family has been participating in the festival village for over 40 years,” he said. “I inherited the restaurant from my mother, Mariette Fahie.”
He added that running a booth at the village is a “passion” for him.
“It comes with hard work, but if you like it you will definitely do it for the culture,” he said. “It’s for a good occasion. It’s the Festival.”
Mr. Fahie also stressed that safety is a top priority, especially with many booths serving alcoholic beverages.
“We don’t want anyone to go over the top and go crazy,” he said. “I think the festival committee is doing a pretty good job. The entertainment is looking pretty good, so that means that we expect a big turnout. So I think that will be fine.”
Stage complex
Also under construction is the stage complex, which consists of two key areas: the main performance stage, measuring 40 by 40 feet, and the backstage area, which spans 75 feet by 35 feet and includes four dressing rooms and a bar area.
The setup is being constructed by BVI Promotions, an event development company led by businessman Popeye Scatliffe.
Kids’ rides
The Coney Island rides are also back this year after being shipped here again from St. Croix, Mr. Lettsome said. “The rides are up,” he said. “They just have to get them inspected and ready for the weekend.”