VG festival gets $130K – Private sponsorship falls

Government is contributing $130,000 towards the 50th staging of the Virgin Gorda Easter Festival this year, but the organizers are facing a decrease in the level of financial support from the private sector.

Chairperson of the Virgin Gorda Easter Festival Sub-Committee Sasha Flax told BVI News Online that private sponsorship has dwindled as a result of the closure of some properties on the island – especially Little Dix Bay Resort, which is undergoing rehabilitation.

“I think based on the current financial situation on Virgin Gorda, especially with the closure of Little Dix, that has hampered a bit of our sponsorship. It could have been greater, but the economic situation on Virgin Gorda is not how it used to be,” Flax said.

Meanwhile, minister responsible for culture Myron Walwyn, at the launch of the festival today (March 23), described the government’s budgetary allocation as significant.

“I would say that the contribution by the government is significant. I will give you more information on the significance. I would tell you that, when I became minister of culture, the subvention given to the Virgin Gorda Festival Committee increased by 40 percent, and the increase this year is by 50 percent on the original figure to accommodate the golden jubilee.”

Further, Walwyn told BVI News Online that, as customary, the government will be responsible for any budgetary shortfall.

“It ($130,000) should cover everything; that’s the amount that we have advanced. We know money allocated in the budget for festival is not enough to cover it. Whatever outstanding expenses they have, obviously we are obligated to cover them. But I think $130,000 should be enough based on the budget they have presented to me,” the minister said.

The festivities on Virgin Gorda this year are being held in honour of Bernice Sprauve, who is one of the co-founders of the annual event on that island.