Festival officials temporarily barred from VG festiville, passes needed next year
The Virgin Islands Festival & Fairs Committee might introduce the use of credential passes to next year’s Virgin Gorda Easter Festival after at least two officials experienced difficulties entering the festiville venue this year.
The 2019 festival honouree Roy O’Neal told BVI News that he was one of the individuals temporarily barred from entering the venue during Sunday’s staging of the event.
He said three security officers – a female and two males – manning the gates refused him entry despite several efforts to declare who he was.
The 73-year-old former government employee said he proceeded to call a friend after his fruitless plights to the security officers.
O’Neal said a senior police officer who knew him well showed up at the entrance moments after and resolved the misunderstanding.
Despite the occurrence which has been described as unfortunate, the festival honoree said he enjoyed the remainder of the event.
Festival committee chairman also experiences challenges
Festival chairman Carnel Clyne said he was made aware of the incident and revealed that he too was not recognized by the security personnel in his capacity as Chairperson.
“That situation is because of late planning and the security guards weren’t briefed properly, even myself was a victim … I myself came through and got searched but at the end of the day I give them their props because they’re doing their jobs to the fullest extent so I felt comfortable in that regard,” Clyne said.
He said credentials will be issued for all officials and media personnel in a bid to prevent recurrences at future festivals.
“That has to be in place. We don’t want similar issues coming by the gate. We have to step forward where we’ll probably do picture ID for press, for committee members, artistes and their drivers, and for folks who are supposed to get a pass,” he said.
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and all kind ah non essential people given passes?
That’s because ayo have all kinds of island people who don’t know nobody doing security
such an idiot
Yes Carnel I witnessed the police demanding that you go and buy a ticket to gain entrance..
I said to the police, “That’s the BVIF&FC Chair” and the officer responded, “HE could be God he got to pay”
Thought that was a bit rude … But I admired how calmly you handled yourself.
Nothing new. VG festival has been doing this for years. Refuse to recognize Festival executive committee.
I understand the frustration and possible humiliation, however, I am in full support of the security guards. Present your pass or be denied entry.
As stated above by the chairman “That situation is because of late planning and the security guards weren’t briefed properly, even myself was a victim … I myself came through and got searched but at the end of the day I give them their props because they’re doing their jobs to the fullest extent so I felt comfortable in that regard”
Lesson indeed to be learnt. We cannot have the same issue reoccurring year after year. Lets hope next year there is change. VIP entrance, gates passes to executives and other dignitaries, etc, etc. No one should be allowed entrance without ticket, official escort and or gate passes.
That can be taken care of with official letters to individuals stating they can go through, showing ID. It will be less expensive. There were only two incidents. It will be an unnecessary additional expense for a Festival n Fairs already broke commitee.
If the entrance to the village was free like how it suppose to be we wont have all these problems