Christmas on Main Street was a huge success
 Public enjoys Moko Jumbies act [Island Sun Photo by Warren Alexander] |
Local food, pastries, drinks and preservatives, souvenirs, toys, books, clothes and t-shirts, plants, electronics, videos and lots of entertainment! This was the scene last Friday and Saturday from the Sir Olva Georges Plaza on Main Street up past The Island Sun building - the road blocked off with an estimated 44 booths. It was the second annual Christmas on Main Street cultural fair, shopping arena and concert hosted by the Association for the Advancement of Small Businesses (AASB). Addressing the opening Friday morning, Minister of Education and Culture the Honourable Andrew Fahie said the AASB and all those who have been supportive of this initiative must be highly commended for their efforts in putting together this extravaganza. He said the event provided wholesome entertainment, an opportunity for residents to shop at home, a shopping experience for our visitors and an opportunity to reminisce on Christmas of long ago.
A very special attraction was a replica of an old fashioned chattel house, which showed how our parents and grandparents decorated their homes long ago at Christmas time. "It should provide and prove to be an item of interest for all and an educational adventure for our children, who are perhaps only familiar with the tinsel decorations and artificial Christmas trees which decorate many homes in this day and age."
 Photo by Astrid Wenzke |
The chattel house was located alongside Pusser's. It was very well decorated in the old time tradition, linoleum floor, wall paper covering a portion of the walls, fly catchers, coal pots, old sewing machine and rocking chairs. There was also an original Christmas tree on display. Hon. Fahie said the guest artists on the line up represented the many talents of the BVI. Performers on the programme included students from several schools, Donna Cline, the Mocko Jumbies, Martin Trio, Robert Chalwell & guests, the Sugar Apple Drama Group, Sensations, Deanna Wattley & Company, Bryan Penn, the Lashing Dogs, Xtreme Band, the Advent Lights, Bego, Norbert Donovan and Elton Callwood. A commemorative booklet was prepared for the occasion. It featured a message from the Minister of Education and Culture, a letter from Portia Harrigan of the AASB, stories about Christmas traditions, recipes, children's colouring page and advertisements from sponsors. "Christmas on Main Street has become an annual event and officially marks the beginning of our Christmas celebrations," said Mr. Fahie. "It is my wish that it will grow to the point where we will no longer see a need to go off island to shop." He appealed to all persons in the community to support our local vendors.
Director of the BVI Tourist Board Ms. Anne Lennard also commended the Association on the staging of this 2nd Annual Christmas on Main Street. She said the BVITB was pleased to extend its support last year to this attempt to "revitalize" Main Street. She pointed out the BVI is not known to be a shopping destination, but that perception is likely to change if more of our visitors experience Christmas on Main Street. "I would like to take this opportunity to also encourage the community to lend more support for this and similar events, which help showcase BVI crafts, products and businesses," Ms. Lennard appealed. She mentioned telling some business owners on Main Street that it is time they got together to create corporative promotional opportunities. "In 2001, the Tourist Board would like to see a dedicated brochure to further promote all businesses on Main Street," the BVITB Director challenged. She said the Board is keen to lend its support to a project of this nature and look forward to working directly with all businesses. The Tourist Board has just culminated its Tourism Month activities at the end of November. Ms. Lennard said the timing of Christmas on Main Street was fitting to have coincided with their activities. She later performed the cutting of the ribbon, officially declaring Christmas on Main Street open.