Stubbs gets hat-trick in Nine Mornings community festival

The community of Stubbs has been adjudged the Best Nine Mornings Community for the third consecutive year.{{more}}

Stubbs also managed to take the title of Best Christmas Community from arch rivals Carriere, who won the title in 2012.

This is the fourth time Stubbs has won the title of Best Nine Mornings Community, having first won the title in 2009. They lost the title in 2010 to Carriere.

Singer and Songwriter Rondy “Luta” McIntosh did the double for the Most Popular Christmas Song when he came in first and second place with his hit songs, “Girlyn” and “Roast Pork” respectively.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Culture, Cecil McKie, said St Vincent and the Grenadines has been hailed as one of the best countries to visit for Christmas anywhere in the world and that Nine Mornings is growing each year.

He said each year they are challenged to refresh their product and ensure that the festival remains big and continues to grow from strength to strength.

McKie said he is heartened to see so many coming on board to play their part in the annual festivities and he welcomes the rivalry among the various communities, as long as it is done in a friendly manner.

Chairman of the Nine Mornings Committee Michael Peters, said the annual prize-giving ceremony is a way to thank persons for helping to develop, organize, promote and co-ordinate the Christmas festivities, which he dubbed “the best in the world.”

He extended thanks and appreciation to all the rural communities who took part in the festival this year. According to Peters, there is a challenge with finances each year, but yet, they manage to produce a great festival.

“You have made it possible with whatever little resources you have and still manage to put off a great year,” Peters said.

“It is heartening for me to say every morning or night, that I could go visit a different community and people have embraced that…,” he said.

He added that when the Argyle international airport is opened, they are certain that the difficulties people experience in getting to St Vincent and the Grenadines should be minimized, which would encourage more persons to come home for Christmas.

Deputy chair Lennox Bowman said no praise is high enough for the work done by the communities to produce Nine Mornings in St Vincent and the Grenadines. Bowman said the issue of music has been a concern for him, noting that each year they try to have local music to create the flavour and make a cross with the traditional carols.

“Certain persons on the radio stations would understand when I say, I’m getting a feeling more and more that you can’t wait until Christmas morning comes to stop playing the Christmas music,” Bowman added.

He noted that he did not hear many carols on the radio stations.

Also sharing brief remarks were Anthony Dennie, marketing manager at the National Lotteries Authority.

The Nine Mornings Anniversary Committee also awarded several persons and organisations at Saturday’s ceremony.

They include: Sebastian “Bassy” Alexander and El Grupo Amistad; Pastor Errol Daniel from the Streams of Power Church: Leroy Llewellyn and the Sion Hill community; Carlton “CP” Hall; the National Lotteries Authority; VINLEC; Sion Hill Euphonium Steel Orchestra; the Ministry of Culture and Merle Fernandez and Kid’s Plus.

At the ceremony, which was held at the Peace Memorial Hall, Point Village made the biggest splash by taking home four awards.

They first bagged the award for the VINLEC Community Lighting competition in Zone 4 and followed it up by copping the national title for community lightning.

Point also won the prizes for National Lotteries Authority Best Community on Parade and the Best 100 Year Theme.

In Zone One of the Lighting competition, Rose Bank took the top spot. In Zone Two, Town Hill placed first, and Port Elizabeth, Bequia topped the competition in Zone Five.

The Best Lit Garden went to the Richmond Hill Gardens and Jimmy Samuel wrested back his title, which he had lost in 2012 for the Best Lit Private House — leaving last year’s winner, Olivia DaSilva of Cane End to settle for the second position and Glenroy Providence of Frenches in third.

Nine Mornings was celebrated under the theme: “Celebrating 100 years of a unique Vincentian tradition.”(KW)