Parade Monday, Rise & Shine move to Tuesday in revised Festival plan
The Festival Parade in the Virgin Islands will remain on August Monday while the Rise and Shine Tramp is now set for August Tuesday, following consultations and public feedback, Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has said.
The announcement follows earlier proposals to adjust the traditional schedule, which prompted public discussion and review. Speaking on the Virgin Islands Voice programme, Dr Wheatley said the final decision reflects a compromise shaped by community input.
He explained that the shift followed informal surveys and engagement led by Junior Minister for Tourism and Culture Luce Hodge-Smith, after initial concerns were raised about earlier proposals.
“The junior minister would have done informal surveys throughout the Virgin Islands… she would have canvassed views and she would have been able to come up with what she believed to be a more acceptable proposal,” Dr Wheatley said.
According to the Premier, the revised arrangement separates two major events that previously affected each other’s timing. He noted that holding both activities on the same day contributed to delays in the parade.
“The parade won’t be on the same day as the Rise and Shine Tramp and the Rise and Shine Tramp was identified as one of the reasons the parade started late,” Dr Wheatley explained.
He added that historical practices and stakeholder discussions also informed the decision, noting that there were differing accounts among historians regarding the traditional timing of events.
“There were some conflicting accounts among historians, but I believe we’ve come up with something that we are comfortable with,” Dr Wheatley said.
The Premier also pointed out that similar scheduling had occurred in the past, with multiple Rise and Shine Tramps sometimes taking place during the Festival period.
“During certain years, there would be two rise and shine tramps in town… [and] one of them would be Tuesday anyway,” he said.
Premier Wheatley expressed hope that the revised schedule would allow broader participation, particularly for those who may have had difficulty engaging in earlier proposed formats.
“I hope that… persons perhaps who would have had difficulty participating in the parade if it were on a Saturday… are now happy to participate,” he added.
“It’s important to us that even if we put forward proposals, that we always remain open to adjusting those proposals based on public feedback… And that’s a sign of a government that is responsive and a government that’s listening,” Dr Wheatley said.
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Set of big dummmies need y’all backsides blazed for even making this an issue. And had already made stupid decision without consultation. The parade will still start late with the tramp though.
Common sense has prevailed…….Luce thrown under the bus
Jump up Tuesday in RoadTown and Wednesday in East end
it does. We has J’ouvert Monday and Tuesday in town then Wednesday in East End
I don’t think the J’ouvert crowd will mind the back-to-back jamming. They will miss the Monday morning jam yes, but they will likely adjust.
Appetizer after the main course
Me going to Antigua instead
“ a gov that listens?” Who else lol after reading that?
Well I have been involved in Festival for over 40 years and don’t recall receiving any of these “informal surveys” or being consulted with by anyone. I guess they only survey and accept input from those in their circle like the yes men and yes women they appoint to these positions.
I guess we will make another change again when horseraces return.
I do agree that Parade should not change from August Monday and so the Tramp is what should be moved.
I may have done the Rise & Shine tramp on the Saturday foreday morning with water sports, Calypso show same Saturday night in the village, Miss BVI the Sunday, Parade August Monday and Horseraces on Tuesday, EE\LL jouvert Wednesday foreday morning.
Well I have been involved in Festival for over 40 years and don’t recall receiving any of these “informal surveys” or being consulted with by anyone. I guess they only survey and accept input from those in their circle like the yes men and yes women they appoint to these positions.
I guess we will make another change again when horseraces return.
I do agree that Parade should not change from August Monday and so the Tramp is what should be moved.
I may have done the Rise & Shine tramp on the Saturday foreday morning with water sports, Calypso show same Saturday night in the village, Miss BVI the Sunday, Parade August Monday and Horseraces on Tuesday, EE\LL jouvert Wednesday foreday morning.
We shall see what we shall see. Man ah plan God ah wipe out.
This strikes me as a fair and workable compromise. It ring fences the August Monday Parade, which is the cultural anchor of Festival, while still allowing for a Road Town Rise & Shine Tramp on Tuesday. The East End tramp remains untouched, and there’s no interference with Carrot Bay’s long standing activities. If horseracing returns, Tuesday also gives it space to coexist without the heavy mobilization that a Saturday parade would have required. This arrangement preserves tradition, reduces operational clashes, and still gives room for wider participation.
Aka common sense. Set of f*ck!n idiots we have in control!
What is this going to accomplish?
Just my two cents
Saturday before August Monday – Rise and Shine
Sunday – Emancipation March & Ms. BVI
Monday – Parade
Tuesday – Rise & Shine, Water sports & Horse Race
(these events need to be brought back)
Wednesday – Rise & Shine East End)
Thursday – Carrot Bay
Friday – Carrot Bay
Saturday – Last lap