Road Town rings in the season

It was Christmas in the City, and all through Road Town, people gathered to celebrate — even when the rain came down. The 27th annual holiday festival took place Friday and Saturday for the fifth year on Shoreway Drive.

Despite intermittent showers on both nights, throngs of people clogged the street sandwiched by nearly 35 vendors. Some sold snacks like snow cones, hot dogs, burgers, popcorn, barbeque and traditional fare. Others offered perfumes, toys, handmade clothes and goods, and other gifts.

The event has been a constant — albeit restless — fixture of the holiday season, having previously been held in three other locations while retaining its popularity and community spirit.

“Over the years, it has changed a little bit,” said City Manager Janis Braithwaite-Edwards. “It used to be Christmas in Main Street, then it was Christmas in De Castro Street, then it was Christmas in the Central Administration Complex, and now it’s Christmas in the City because we don’t know where next we are going to have to move.”

Happy Vendors

Among the vendors was Cathy Maduro, owner of Nardy’s SnowCones, a home-based business in its first year of operation.

“I love it,” Ms. Maduro said of the Road Town event. Ms. Maduro is currently trying to expand her business, which is named in honour of her late father, and she is in the process of opening a stand in Fish Bay.

Born on Tortola and raised in the United States, she visited the territory sporadically as a child and has fond memories of the festival. But this was her first year working there.

“It’s seeing new faces, [meeting] new people, enjoying the Christmas season,” she said. “And also I enjoy children. Seeing the smiles on everybody’s face makes me happy.”

Christmas songs in the soca style were spun throughout the event by deejays Mac Millie and Tony Tickett, who warmed the crowd for other performances to come.

Taking the stage Saturday night were the Little Lighthouse Child Development Centre’s Hand Bell Ensemble and Mr. Higgins’ Band and Choir. Both marked the occasion with performances of Christmas standards such as “Jingle Bells,” “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” and “Joy to the World.”

During much of the festival, attendees sat beneath a tent as they waited for performers to take to the damp stage. Others scattered for shelter as the rain came — first as light showers on Friday, then as downpours on Saturday — while vendors rushed to cover their wares with plastic tarps and wait it out beneath their stands.

“Last night had more people than Friday of last year,” Dennis Hogan, owner of Hoogie’s Refreshments, said Saturday. “What happened is the rain ran them off. Saturday night is usually the best night. It all depends on the weather.”

Lynette George, co-chair of the event and owner of the popup toy store Kids World, said a wet festival is not unusual.

“The weather has always been an issue, but it’s not Christmas in the City if it doesn’t rain,” she said. “It must rain on Christmas in the City! … We always tell the vendors: Prepare yourself for rain.”

For children who had been waiting all year for a chance to see Santa Claus, the rain wasn’t a problem. Ms. George said it is their joy that brings out many vendors.

“When you see when a child wants something and they get something, it’s the happiness on their face: I love that,” she said, adding that she also enjoys “seeing people who you haven’t seen all year; seeing families out.”

Santa’s arrival was preceded by the chaotic corralling of children by their families and festival staff.

The shrieking of the crowd carried on as children up to 10 years old were shuffled on and off St. Nick’s lap Friday night, clutching their gifts after posing for a photo. The next night, Santa’s helpers distributed gifts to kids ages 11 to 15.

Junette Daley attended with her nephew Kimori Thomas.

“I think with the giving of the gifts by Santa they could have done a better job with the organisation of the ages, organising the lines,” she said. “It could have been a little bit better and not squeezed up. It’s too crowded.”

Overall, however, she was pleased with the event.

“I think they’re doing a good job of keeping the tradition going,” Ms. Daley said. “[Christmas in the City] is doing good by bringing all the families together — different cultures and different ages — and they’re all enjoying themselves.”