The time is here again when The Valley town centre in Anguilla has brilliantly come alive by what is being called A Christmas Festival of Lights. Not only has he even heralded the season of peace, goodwill and merriment, but has provided a place to go at night from now until the end of the year to enjoy a varied programme of cultural events featuring, in the words of the brochure, An Ole Tyme Christmas. It has come just one week earlier than Festival D’ Noel, another cultural series of events at East End, commencing this Saturday, December 12.

Crowd applauds as lights are turned on

In the Valley, the Festival of Lights is not just about the attractive lighting of the trunks of the mahogany trees that line the Coronation Avenue and the fences and compounds of the Tourist Board and the Agricultural Department with the Tamarind Tree at the Trough as the centerpiece. It is also, to a large extent, the creative re-enactment of some portions of the cultural and social life of the people of Anguilla which can easily be forgotten and fade away if not kept in memory and in public view.

Section of lighted fence at Agricultural Department

Among the creations are a sail boat representing the boat-building and the island’s sea-farers, a fish pot depicting the fishing industry on which the livelihood of the people and the local economy thrived over the past years; animal husbandry which has contributed greatly to the way of life on the island; the guitar, a traditional instrument of string band music which still continues to be an important contributor to merry-making and celebration. All of these cultural and social reminders have been beautifully made with wire mesh with strings of lights attached. There are also effigies of the resilient people of Anguilla attired in their strong and historic national colours.

Members of the organising committee

The Hon. Victor Banks, Anguilla’s Minister of Finance and the Elected Representative of Valley South, who grew up at the then official family residence on the Agricultural Department’s farmland, had high praise for the Festival of Lights. “I am always happy to have the opportunity to participate in this event because what it has done over the years is to bring people together in love, cheering and merriment,” he said at the opening ceremony on Saturday, December 6. “That is what Christmas is all about and that is what we should celebrate. The important event of course is the birth of the baby Jesus and as Christians in a Christian community we recognise that this is the most important aspect of the season and we continue to celebrate that.”

The Klassique Dancers performing

He went on. “It also promises to be a time when we get together as a family and share each other’s love, gifts and feasts and a whole range of things which make us happy. Christmas always make young people feel good. I spent most of my Christmases as a youngster 300 yards from here [the Trough]. I grew up in this area and I can recall the old time Christmas we are talking about today and they were special times of love and sharing when the whole community got together and serenaded which made the season really meaningful.” He took the opportunity to commend the Valley Community and the organising committee for their exquisite cultural work and the many businesses across the island which assisted in financing the Festival of Lights.

St. Maarten Soualouiiga Brass Band

Anita Ruan skipping

Other short speeches were delivered by Mona Supersaud, a member of the committee who welcomed the mass crowd and Giesel Frances, Marketing Manager of LIME, the main sponsor and the recently-formed telecommunication company which has taken over from Cable and Wireless.

Pepper Steppers in action

The activities at the opening ceremony, chaired by Dr. O. Linda Banks and Renford Kelsick, included performances by the Klassique Dances, the Pepper Steppers, an emerging skipping group of young people led by Anita Ruan and the Soualouiiga Brass Band from Dutch St. Maarten which also participated in a march pass with the Little Patriots Drum Band of Island Harbour and the Scouts Drum Band.

Scouts drumband

The lights were switched on by Steven Bryan (Sleepy), a long but now retired player of the Bath Pan, which has been a big asset to string band music on the island.

Little Patriots Drumband March Pass

Several activities have taken place since the opening of the festival. The coming events include the following: Saturday, December: Taste of the Caribbean on the grounds of the Agricultural Department and a String Band Fest; Thursday, December 18: Serenading throughout the island; Friday, December 19: The Valley Youth Sports & Culture Club’s Fun Day at Coronation Avenue; Saturday, 20: Scouts Ole Tyme Wedding on the grounds of the Agricultural Department and serenading throughout the island; Sunday, December 21: Omega Car Show at Coronation Avenue; Monday, December 22: Carifesta showcased (Featuring performances by Anguillian performers); Tuesday, December 23: Gospel Night and Christmas Celebration; Friday, December 26: Ole Tyme Cook-up; Saturday, December 27: Storytelling; Wednesday, December 31: New Testament Church Service on the Agricultural grounds.

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