Santa making his rounds

Carrot Bay , Cane Garden Bay , Sea Cow’s Bay, Brewers Bay and Bellevue are communities where you will see and of course hear for miles, groups lending their own unique voice to be part of a dynamic choir.

There is so much zealousness shown in carolling that persons who may have not been interested are caught up in the singing mood. It’s that captivating!

If that is not appealing enough, the thought of guavaberry tarts, cheese, ham and other tasty delights provided by households the carolers visit is an enticement as well.

Carolling begins at midnight on Christmas morning, and using whatever musical instrument at hand, groups go from house to house serenading residents.

One community that usually takes carolling seriously is Carrot Bay .

Each year, there are two to three groups formed. The main group is a combination of elders and youth and the other group is called the ‘serenaders’. This group plays fungi music with traditional musical instrument such as guitars, shack shack and cowbells.

What makes carolling interesting is that you need to know as many songs as possible since in some instances members of households make special requests. So carollers are usually kept on their toes!!

So on Christmas Eve night, if you want to sample a taste of the BVI culture, be in any of the communities mentioned above and join in the caroling, you are sure to be part of the group singing and making friends.

Adding a twist to this year’s festivities is the serenading by Four Strong Band on top of a well-lit truck and playing those sweet ol’ time fungi Christmas songs teasing both the old and the young.

Roxane Ritter-Herbert, organiser of the event hosted by Tortola Concrete Limited; James Todman Construction and Frontline Systems, said it’s the first time such an event was planned.

“We just wanted to give back to the community and how better than to get people in the spirit of things,” noted Ritter-Herbert.

The serenading of communities began from Sunday, December 16 with the serenading to patients and residents of the Rainbow Home,

Communities ‘Four Strong band’ wooed included Long Look/East End; Green Land; Belle Vue; Fahie Hill; Cane Garden Bay, Harrigan, Long Bush; Lower Estate; Carrot Bay, Apple Bay, West End; Sea Cow’s Bay; Baughers Bay, Purcell Estate, Road Town and Huntums Ghut.

Santa Claus distributed gifts along the routes and periodically polo tee-shirts were also handed out.