BVITB: Emancipation festival on track amid challenges, resignation
Director of the BVI Tourist Board, Clive McCoy, stated at a press conference on Friday, July 19, with Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley, that despite encountered difficulties, the 70th Emancipation Festival will proceed as planned.
“We have been working closely with all the various subcommittees day in and day out, and they have assured me that everything will start as advertised. Even though we had a late start for various reasons, we will begin on time,” McCoy stated.
Concerns were raised following the recent resignation of Dirk Walters as the Events Manager of the BVI Tourist Board (BVITB), especially so close to the upcoming 70th Anniversary Festival celebrations.
In January this year, the government announced the dissolution of the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs (VIF&F) Committee, transferring its functions to the BVI Tourist Board. Walters, who previously served as the VIF&F Committee Chair, was appointed Events Manager at the Tourist Board in 2023.
Dirk Walters not leaving immediately
The timing of Walters’ departure was troubling given the event’s importance. However, the Premier stated at the press conference that Walters would still be part of the upcoming festival, confirming his resignation was not immediate.
Earlier this year, the government announced the festival’s relocation, but shortly after, they confirmed it would remain at Road Town Festival Grounds. When questioned about the relocation behind the Ralph T. O’Neal Central Administration Complex, the Premier responded that safety concerns were raised by the Town and Country Planning Committee.
The 70th Emancipation Festival features numerous events from July 14 to August 10. This year’s theme is encapsulated in the slogan, “Celebrate our Freedom and Live in Unity as BVI Festival Turns 70!”
This year marks not only the 70th BVI Emancipation Festival but also the 190th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in the Virgin Islands.
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That man is a complete waste of time. I have no confidence in him whatsoever. The festival has started off disastrously. Tell me why Miss BVI show ended at 2am with everybody hungry in the VIP section?
That was absolutely ludicrous! Waste of money!
Why ayo didn’t keep it Saturday night?
All that food passing around every minute and VIP was hungry? Really?
why do you we have to pay to enter the village, are we really paying to emancipate ourselves?
Mehson move yuh cheap self from here. Pay!
Why are we still trying to fool ourselves that this is primarily a tourism event? Do we even really want tourists at our cultural celebration? This should not be in the hands of our tourism marketing agency. They are not events managers, nor are they empowered to be under the Tourist Board Ordinance.
Even though they start late for various reasons, they will begin on time. Lmbo! Yall ever hear more stupidness? This boy is as dumb as they come! What a waste of an Antiguan! When will they get rid of he and the chairman? 2 complete wastes!