The Lions Club of Tortola officially kicked off the Christmas season in the Territory with their annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Concert on Saturday, November 27 at the Sir Oilva Georges Plaza.
President of the Lions Club of Tortola, Kevin S. Fahie said this is an important tradition that the Club has upheld for the past four decades and counting.
“It is very important. It is something that has been going on for longer than I have been alive – over 40 years that the Lions have been doing this tradition of the Christmas tree lighting and it is something that we hold very dear to our Club. It is one of those things that we have to get done,” President Fahie shared.
He added, “So it’s just about getting everybody out, getting the Christmas spirit and juices flowing so it is a very important event. It starts the Christmas season in a sense for the BVI.”
He also informed that he was also pleased that the event has moved back to its original location after being held at the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park due to the unavailability of the Plaza following the 2017 hurricanes, and then COVID-19 restrictions last year.
Meanwhile, Vice President of the Club and organizer of the event, Lion Kamika Forbes informed that there were a variety of performers which included the BVI Heritage Dancers, Nouveau Royale, the BVI Dance School, vocalist Durnel Sanderson, Kyle Moses, Jonelis Diaz, V-Dalya Charles and the Zion Steel Orchestra.
She said residents were treated to traditional songs like Mama Bake the Johnny Cake, Feliz Navidad. From all accounts, the event was well-received.
“The crowd seemed to enjoy it; it was all well received. It was an enjoyable time. I think people welcomed the opportunity to come back out again,” she stated. The Club also had its second draw of its Christmas Raffle, with Shereen Hodge winning an Acer Chrome Book compliments of iSmart. The final drawing will be held on December 18, with $3,000 as the grand prize. Premier and Minister for Finance Hon. Andrew A. Fahie; and Deputy Premier Dr. the Hon. Natalio Wheatley also delivered brief Yuletide Greetings at the event.