BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – AFTER a seven-year hiatus, plans are afoot to revive the Newtown Festival and the organising committee has released a list of activities that are expected to be part of the event.
Dubbed the “East Basseterre VIVA Fest”, the festival is scheduled to run from September 9 – 19, 2011 to coincide with the 27th Independence Anniversary of the Federation of St. Christopher and Nevis.
Most of the activities would take place at the Newtown Playfield which has been dubbed Fish Pot Village for the community festival
The festival was last held in 2004 when, during one of the street activities, a young man lost his life after being pinned under the wheel of a vehicle that was used to transport the sound equipment for one of the local bands.
Coordinator of the event Geoffrey Hanley, in an interview with SKNVibes, explained that the festival represented the sense of togetherness which exists amongst the residents of East Basseterre and its revival would only serve to strengthen that bond.
He explained that plans are well underway with the calendar of events already created and preparatory work for the different activities is in progress.
“We have had it over a number of years, but because of an accident that took place seven years ago the festival basically went dormant. So we are trying now to bring back the festival in a different form…trying to touch the holistic approach towards our community,” Hanley explained.
Highlighting some of the activities that patrons could look forward to, Hanley spoke of a Pan-o-Rama, a Sport Day and a Sea Food Fest.
“We will be having several activities including a Gospel Fest and a Youth Rally. We have a Sports Festival which will incorporate basketball, football, netball, the traditional 100M race, tug-of-war and family relays. All of those are events which will take place at the sports event.
“Additionally, we are going to have what we call a Night of Voices, Industry and Music which will showcase the vocals we have in East Basseterre and incorporating the Industrial Site. We are asking them to participate in singing or performing a play. In terms of music, we are going to be having instrumentals from people like Alex Condell, Wingrove Hicks and also the Defence Force Band and the Iron Band.
“We are also going to have a night of Pan-o-Rama, where we will showcase father and daughter playing the pan. We are hoping our senior pan players like Melly Hewlette and Star Black would come onboard. We would have an evening where we would have a Seafood Fest. Our vendors would be expected to sell seafood, whether it is fish or conchs and that sort of thing. We are going to tie off that event with a Fish Soup Cook off Competition.”
Hanley also mentioned a Water Splash J’Ouvert event slated for September 16 which would climax with “wet down” and “aquatic sports” activities.
Another of the activities he mentioned was the Independence Peace Concert (Sept 18) which corporate giant LIME has agreed to sponsor. He said that event would feature “positive youth messages”.
He encouraged persons from the East Basseterre and surrounding communities to lend their support in making the festival a success.
EAST BASSETERRE “VIVA” FEST PROGRAMME
Saturday 10th September - Family Sports Fun Day - 1:00 p.m.
Sunday 11th September - Church Service, Hope Chapel - 7:00 a.m.
- Community Gospel Concert “We Taking Back” - 6:30 p.m.
Monday 12th September - Family Jeopardy & Youth Panel Discussion
Tuesday 13th September - Youth Peace Rally - 10:00 a.m.
- Night of Voices Industries & Music - 7:30 p.m.
Fish Pot Village (Newtown Playfield)
Wednesday 14th September - Appreciating Our Elderly - 10:00 a.m.
- Steel Pan Festival - 7:30 p.m.
Thursday 15th September - Sea Food Test and Fish Soup Cook Off - 6:30 p.m.
- D.J. Clash - 8:30 p.m.
Friday 16th September - Water Splash Jouvert - 6:00 a.m. - 12 noon
- Aquatic Sports (Newtown Bay) - 1:30 p.m.
- Party In De Pan @ Fish Pot (Newtown Playfield)
Saturday 17th September - Miss East Pearl Community Pageant & Calypso Show (Fish Pot Village) - 8:00 p.m.
Sunday 18th September - Lime Independence Peace Concert @ Frigate Bay Pasture
Monday 19th September - Street and Business Float Parade - 1:00 p.m.
- Party In De Pen @Fish Pot Village
