“Rejuvenate, Participate, Celebrate, Let’s Make It Great In 2008" is the theme for the 2008 Virgin Gorda Festival disclosed Vanessa Rhymer, Chairman of the Virgin Gorda Festival Committee, at a press conference held on February 11, at the Administrative Complex.

And due to the fact that Virgin Gorda has churned out some of the best musicians in the Territory the Village has been named – Musical City Festival.

For those who may have decided to skip this year’s festivities, according to the Chairman, there are some significant changes. One being the changing of ‘Food Fair’ to a ‘Cultural Fair’, which will be held on Saturday, March 22  

“Instead of just having food on sale, we will incorporate such activities as sugar cake making demonstration. We will also have fungi and steel pan music. It’s our first day so it has to be spectacular and we recognised these changes had to be made to make Festival meaningful,” Rhymer explained to reporters. The opening ceremony will begin at 10:00 a.m. before the opening of the Cultural Fair.

In the evening, at the Village, another brief ceremony will be held with Miss Easter Ville given the honours of cutting the ribbon.

Then the real action kicks off with soca acts Peter Ram, Jamsey P, Zola and Bomani working the crowd into a frenzy with their catchy tunes. Cable and Wireless, is sponsoring these artistes exclusively.

St. Thomas band, Jam Time, will complete the package to tempt and tease patrons into the wee hours of the morning with their wicked lyrics.

Taking Bomani’s words “My pants and shirt wet” – that is what patrons can expect for the ‘Wet Fete’, which is on Sunday, March 24.

Neil Blyden, owner of ZVCR radio station said his station has been involved in the Virgin Gorda Festival for the past 18 years and has a vested interest in the Wet Fete. He recalled the first one held with artiste Onyan, from Antigua , and local Extreme Band.

This year UBM and Soldiers from St. Croix will ‘mash up de place’. Apart from the thrilling water sports that are held annually, Blyden is currently in discussion with boat owners on Tortola and St. Thomas to visit the island and enjoy a pleasurable day of sailing and fun in the sun. Also considered a family oriented event, parents are encouraged to bring their children to enjoy some kite flying.    

But save some strength for that evening because persons will be treated to an evening of satire and antics from eight Calypsonians who are ready to battle for the coveted crown.

Rhymer hinted it will be a worthwhile show and noted that their songs will be enjoying airplay shortly.

To add to an evening that will be filled with excitement, Mighty Sparrow from Trinidad and Tobago and De Bear from Antigua with their famous ‘double meaning’ kiasos will keep the festive mood, and winding down the evening will be Extortion Band from St. Croix .

Then it’s on to J’Overt Morning with Onyan and Burning Flames out of Antigua and VG band, Jam Session. Burning Flames’ is sponsored by Speedy’s.

A colourful parade is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. sharp on Monday, March 24. Approximately 12 floats are expected to hit the streets said Rhymer, and not to have a repeat of the poor showing of participation last year, the Committee will offer incentives to groups to facilitate their participation. Pure Passion will be on hand to provide entertainment. 

According to the Festival Committee Chairman, letters have been written through the Department of Culture to schools to encourage them to be part of the parade. 

In light of this, Vance Lewis, Chief Executive of Cable and Wireless piped in that his company will be assisting three troops – two from Virgin Gorda and one from Tortola .  

Meanwhile, to wrap up the packed three days, patrons will have the opportunity to relax to some sweet Reggae music.

“We [the Committee] also thought that there should be something to bring the curtains down in fine style. So this year, we have organised a Reggea night with some of our local Reggae artistes taking center stage and Da’Ville wrapping things up,” revealed Rhymer.

Gov’t and C&W major sponsors

Cable and Wireless is the platinum sponsor injecting in excess of over $50,000 to the action packed weekend. Lewis told reporters ‘It was a historic occasion for C&W to be the main sponsor for the VG Festival, which will forge a relationship that will be meaningful for the next three years.”

He acknowledged the degree of entertainment for this year could be classed as exceptional.    

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry for Education and Culture, Shelia Braithwaithe said that Government is happy to be sponsoring the Festival and hopes that persons have an ‘enlightening and enjoyable’ time. 

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