Six-in-a-row for Point Village (+Videos)
POINT VILLAGE HAS been named the National Community Lighting Champion for the sixth consecutive year.
Over the years, the northeastern village has become known for its 3D light displays and they have been winning the national competition since 2013.
This year, the displays were created under the theme “Christmas on Point: Oh how lovely, just come and see, for Christmas is We” and committee members are happy to have another national win under their belt.
“I am very ecstatic about our win. Its been six years but…this year is our 11th year. So six years in a row, thats a great accomplishment,” said Tamicka Lavia, the coordinator of the committee.
She told SEARCHLIGHT that the community will most definitely compete in the competition again next year.
But she said that getting persons in the community to help put up displays is one of the main challenges that they face each year.
“These take a lot of time especially when dealing with the wires. It takes a lot of time, a lot of energy and not getting enough help puts a strain on those who are doing it, but we have done our best, we have put our time, our energy and then this is the result,” Lavia said.
Deslyn Daniel, an electrician who is a part of the lighting team, also said that she was happy Point was able to win the national lighting competition for another consecutive year.
She said that close to 800 boxes of lights were used to create the light displays this year, 200 less than they have used in previous years.
Daniel said that the team started putting up displays in November, which is considered late.
The electrician also said that there was some difficulty acquiring lights to be used on the displays. But she also agreed with Lavia that getting help is one of the main challenges of creating the displays yearly.
“When we want to tape the lights, she (Lavia) will call the ones going school because the men don’t like come out and help and so. Most is ladies who come and help tape the lights,” she said.
Other members of Daniel’s team included her husband, Keon Daniel and her brother, Ainsley Roberts.
And the electrician expressed hope that more business places would come on board to sponsor Point Village and their efforts to light up the square at Christmas in the years to come.
Montgomery Daniel, the parliamentary representative for North Windward said that he hopes the committee can stick together and maintain their winning streak.
He said that competing nationally “is not an easy thing” and he congratulated the entire team for their efforts.
“There’s no doubt about it. The culture, the designer, everything is here and the guys that are putting their talent together and making us proud. Once
again, Point has made North Windward proud and I’m congratulating the guys very much and looking forward to their continued togetherness and of course, community spirit for the next couple of years to come. They deserve it,” the area representative said.
Rose Bank, Port Elizabeth and Town Hill placed second, third and fourth respectively in the National Community Lighting competition.
In the zonal competition, Rose Bank placed first in Zone 1 (North Leeward), Town Hill placed first in Zone 2 (Kingstown and West St George) and Cotton Ground placed first in Zone 3 Marriaqua and South Windward). Point Village was first in Zone 4 (North Central Windward and North Windward) and Port Elizabeth was first Zone 5 (Grenadines).
The winner of the Best Lit Garden was the Ces for Wes Gardens and the Best Nativity Scene was won by Town Hill.
Olivia Da Silva won in the category of Best Lit Private House.