No alcohol at Gospel Fest!

The Gospel Fest Committee in a strongly worded press statement issued late Wednesday evening has distanced itself from a statement made by Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves that alcoholic beverages are consumed at Gospel Fest.{{more}}

The remarks were made by the Prime Minister on Tuesday, June 1, 2010, at the 25th anniversary celebrations of the St.Vincent Brewery Ltd at Campden Park.

The Prime Minister Gonsalves stated: “…It’s amazing the amount of beers they consume at Gospel Fest…It’s I suspect a substitute for the wine at the wedding feast at Canaan in Galilee.”

The committee responding to the remarks stated categorically that they are untrue and are completely without merit.

“The committee is therefore calling on him to use wisdom and good judgment and to let good sense prevail,” the release stated.

The press release further stated that over the eight year existence of the festival, “Absolutely no beers or any alcoholic beverages have been consumed by patrons or sold at any bar at Victoria Park or any other festival venue around the country.”

The release said that the bars at all Gospel Fest events are operated by churches and Christian organizations who follow the committee’s directives and strict Christian principles by not selling alcoholic beverages.

The committee stated that Prime Minister Gonsalves is misinformed and his statements are not based on any attendance at the Gospel Fest events.

“Further the statements are irresponsible, extremely damaging to the godly reputation of the festival and disparages all the churches, organizations, individuals and sponsors involved,” the document stated.

Even though the committee is up in arms against the statement made by the prime minister, it acknowledged the support of the Government for the festival over the years and noted that it respects the prime minister and the office he holds.

Efforts to reach the Prime Minister late Wednesday evening for comment were futile.