BASSETERRE St. Kitts, June 12th, 2014 -- The Green Valley Festival Committee, in partnership with the community it serves and the nation by extension, won big this past weekend!
Incoming Chairman, Mr. Jerome “Jebu” Isaac, under the capable tutelage of outgoing Chairman Mr. Douglas Wattley, along with the members of the festival committee, collaborated with various partners and cooperative sponsors to successfully host the 18th installment of the Green Valley Festival.
From its inception, the Green Valley Festival has sought to be a medium that fuels its residents to appreciate their culture, their community and their country. Under the 2014 Festival theme, “De Whole Community Join Een, Green Valley 2014,” it seems the positive message resonated with residents not only in the village of Cayon but with its close neighbors and those throughout the federation who tend to keep a keen eye on the festival activities in the Green Valley.
Festival critics have offered their unreserved feedback about the long standing festival. Despite the many challenges the organizers of the Green Valley Festival Committee have faced in staging the much loved annual Community Festival, the reviews have been very encouraging.
On Saturday May 31, the children of the community were treated to an afternoon of fun, games and goodies hosted by one of Green Valley's annual Festival contributors, "Tay" Farrell. The fun filled free event was a time to focus on the community's children, allowing them to "just be kids."
On Sunday June 1, several seniors were treated to a sumptuous luncheon and gala, an annual evening of entertainment and fellowship that recognizes the stalwarts of the community who paved the way for others in various aspects of the Green Valley's development.
New York based sister organization Green Valley Global partnered with the festival committee to ensure the success of the event. The seniors were treated to a memorable evening of food and fellowship and the volunteers were extremely pleased to be of service to the seniors.
The youths and other community residents engaged in various sporting events during the lead up to the official start of the festival.
On Thursday, June 5, a team of dedicated Green Valley volunteers hosted a recognition Dinner and Awards ceremony, which also saw the area representative, Mr. Eugene Hamilton officially declaring the festival open. The entertaining evening, coordinated by Ms. Shirley Adams, was very well received and the organizers and guests were exceptionally pleased with the outcome.
On Friday June 6, Ms. Vonyea Akers walked away convincingly with the coveted Green Valley Festival Pageant crown before a large audience that was well entertained by the infamous "Cutto."
Zarema Pemberton and Caira Griffin took the first and second runner up titles respectively. The other participants who helped make the pageant a success were sung high notes of praise for their participation and overall decorum. Pageant coordinator Ms. Delisha Ward and her hard working team must be commended highly for staging such a successful pageant.
As the various events on Saturday and Sunday wrapped up, the anticipation and excitement of J’ouvert and Parade day mounted and it seems the organizers, Mas Makers and the entire community all “Joined Een” to deliver a safe, community spirit filled last lap event for Green Valley 2014.
The eighteen-year old festival has unquestionably come of age. The visionary Patricia "Anna" Liburd, who was instrumental in staging the very first festival in Cayon in 1996, envisioned a community festival that would be a gel of sorts to keep the people of the community together and promote a sense of pride in self, pride in the culture of the village, and pride in our country. Liburd's vision has played out with many highs and some unforgettable lows but time and again, the people of the Green Valley community have shown their resilience and "still they rise."
While there are several areas of opportunity the festival committee can certainly address in order to considerably improve the festival, the level of participation and the spirit of community seemed to have improved this year. In fact, Green Valley enthusiasts have already been discussing plans for next year as well as the grand 20 year celebration in 2016.
The Chairman and his committee are sincerely thankful to all business entities and individuals who willingly partnered with the planners of the festival to make this year's celebration a success.
Congratulations to the Green Valley Festival Committee and the entire community who “Joined Eeen for Green Valley Festival 2014.”
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