A few weeks ahead of the official USVI-BVI Friendship Day observance, the League of British Virgin Islands and the V.I. Tourism Department put on a weekend celebration of interisland bonds. They were joined by local businesses and representatives from the Office of Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett.
One of the chief organizers of Saturday’s fete in Emancipation Garden said the event was originally planned for 2024.
League President Moleto Smith expressed satisfaction with the number of people who attended the celebration and the turnout throughout the day.
“It turned out very wonderfully. It was a packed house, a full program. We had a delegation of 20 people that came down from the Virgin Islands, from the British Virgin Islands, which included the Razor Blade Fungi Band … and 12 members of the BVI Culture Bureau, who did a wonderful job,” Smith said.
Mongo Niles Bamboula dancers and Gen Fusion Youth Steel Band added their talents to the entertainment roster.
But perhaps the highlight of the day was an hourlong cultural, historic, and genealogy presentation that we had for an hour with presenters Glenn Kwabena Davis, Nadine Marchena-Kean and Leal Robinson.
“They talked about a number of things around the culture and the history and the genealogy that connects the U.S. Virgin Islands and the BVI and the greater part of the Caribbean,” the league president said.
The roadway bordering the south side of the garden served those in need of refreshment. Food trucks and food stands offered meals, snacks and native drinks. Inside the garden, Debbie Cozier sat next to a table of desserts — black cake, potato pudding, stewed cherries and stewed tamarind.
Cozier said her offerings are also seen during Carnival season at the annual Food Fair, where the stewed fruits are a popular item.
At another vendor stand, Maria Encarnacion and her three children sold homemade hair ornaments. The mom said she was there to support her 12-year-old daughter’s business venture called Xiomy’s Boutique.
The young entrepreneur beamed across the counter display of decorative hair bows, which she said she sews with help from Mom.
Brother Merkael and sister Ellyana sat quietly nearby. On the other side of the garden, near the bandstand, Charlene Adams and some friends bounced to the tunes provided by a deejay.
Her stand, called Something and Anything, displayed madras fabric for sale, along with copies of a book written by Doris Carmona — her sister— titled Lahd, Wha ‘Tis Dis?
Adams said she enjoyed the day’s activities and looked forward to joining future celebrations.
Smith said he already had a list of vendors — including some who couldn’t participate this year — who wanted to be counted in at the next staging of the interisland fete.
And for those who can’t wait for planners to see what’s in store for 2026, the official USVI-BVI Friendship Day is scheduled to take place Oct. 18 and 19.
“I am very happy that a lot of people have come out, have some family-friendly fun, and enjoy the day, Smith said. “We are just so glad that folks came out and they just really, really had a good time.”
