Officials begin preparations for Nine Mornings Festival

Representatives of various community groups and organizations will gather on Saturday to begin preparations for the 2017 Nine Mornings Festivities.

The meeting, which begins at 9:30 a.m., takes place at the Peace Memorial Hall.

Items on the agenda include: a comprehensive review of the 2016 festivities; community reports; improved programming in the festival; the various community competitions; and the official launch of two innovative competitions for 2017.

In attendance will be officials from the Ministry of Culture and the SVG Nine Mornings Committee. The Minister of Culture Cecil McKie is expected to address the gathering.

The SVG Christmas/Nine Mornings Festival, which takes place throughout the month of December will be officially launched on Sunday, December 3, with a street parade, Christmas concert and lighting of Heritage Square and climaxes with the Nine Mornings festivities from December 16 to 24.

A release from the Nine Mornings Committee said already a number of villages have begun organizing activities for the 2017 season.

“In 2016 the festival rebounded well, with 46 communities staging activities. Up from a low of 26 in 2015 when general elections were held in the midst of the festivities,” the release said.

Nine Mornings is one of the leading festivals in St Vincent and the Grenadines, with activities spread throughout the country. The Ministry of Culture and the SVG Nine Mornings Committee are anxious to ensure an attractive festival, especially this year since the opening of the Argyle International Airport is expected to generate larger numbers of visitors and returning nationals coming to the country.

Point Village is the defending National Lighting Champion; Stubbs won the Best Nine Mornings Community, while Richland Park won the Best Christmas Community award.

Nine Mornings, which is held during the month of December annually, remains unique to St Vincent and the Grenadines. The overall theme for the Christmas season is: “Spreading the love”, while the Nine Mornings festivities will be held under the theme: “It’s my Nine Mornings!”