Nine Nights off to bright, colourful start

THIS CHILDREN’s area offers the perfect photo opportunity with Santa Claus and Frosty the Snowman

This country’s unique Christmas festival officially began yesterday morning with its usual excitement at Heritage Square and various other locations around the country.

The first morning of the Kingstown festivities, which was carried live on Facebook, began with devotions by the Mt Sinai Spiritual Baptist Church.

THE LIGHTS display at the pond in the centre of the Botanic Gardens

And children of all ages, men and women from the crowd made short appearances on stage to sing Christmas carols and engage in the games and other activities, like the Digicel “Bring yo song and come” competition.

Rondy ‘Luta’ McIntosh, Agape Methodist Dramatists and the Sion Hill Steel Orchestra also had an opportunity to entertain the crowd.

The 9Mornings Train was also present, shuttling interested persons around Kingstown, all to the sound of steel pan music.

Several communities, including Stubbs — which also had a live stream on Facebook — also commenced their Nine Mornings festivities yesterday.

Persons who may not be keen on going to the morning festivities will also have a chance to experience the tradition via Nine Nights of Lights.

The fifth instalment of Nine Nights of Lights opened on Sunday evening and saw several officials making brief remarks before the Botanic Gardens dazzled with light displays of all colours.

Anthony Theobalds, the chief cultural officer welcomed those present to the event and urged them to remember the reason for the season.

“I want to just very briefly highlight the fact that lighting is symbolic of the Light… who came to us many years ago and is the reason for the season,” he said. “The lights are pretty. They are enjoyable but as you walk through the gardens and you appreciate them, I want you to spare a moment to think about that special light that is the reason for the season.”

The National Parks, Rivers and Beaches Authority manages various sites in St Vincent, including the Botanic Gardens.

Gideon Nash, the Authority’s chairman thanked the committee for doing a great job in preparing for this year’s activities.

He added that the committee hopes to add another feature to the Nine Nights celebration next year in the form of carolling.

“And the format we are thinking of is to have 9 groups and nine members strong, no more than nine members…” Nash said.

Tourism and culture minister, Cecil McKie had the honours of doing the countdown to the lighting up of the Garden.

THIS PAINTING of the Nativity scene is among the lighted displays at the Botanic Gardens for the Nine Nights of Lights festivities.

But before he did so, he said that Nine Nights of lights have been able to attract thousands of people into the area but also to other communities where similar events are taking place.

He said that it is very important to have a variety of activities that attract Vincentians abroad to return home and visitors to come to St Vincent.

“No wonder the rest of the world and the media houses throughout the international market, they have come to St Vincent and the Grenadines and they have voted St Vincent and the Grenadines has one off the best Christmas festivals anywhere in the world…” the tourism minister said.

He also said that the country has a lot to offer and the Nine Nights event provides an opportunity for local artistes, musicians and groups to showcase their talent.

Nine Nights of Lights will be held from 7pm to 10 pm for the next eight nights in the Botanic Gardens. And the programme on each night will feature several acts including local artistes, pan sides and dance groups.

Light displays can also be viewed in various communities across the island.

According to the Light up schedule, Fitz Hughes, Lauders, Questelles, Rose Bank, Rose Hall, Sans Souci, Simon and Troumaca turned their lights on last night.

And tonight, Canouan, Diamond Village, Belvedere and Owia will do the same.