Bequia Easter Regatta to have slate of activities, for every family member

Persons travelling to Bequia later this month for Easter Regatta activities can expect a full slate of activities and events for every member of the family.

So says Minister of Tourism, Sports and Culture Cecil McKie. He has expressed the hope that locals and visitors alike will enjoy all the activities in store for this year’s Easter regatta.

According to McKie, Bequia Easter regatta is a major annual cultural event in St Vincent and the Grenadines. He described this year’s programme as a truly collaborative effort so that Easter regatta is “bound to have a successful weekend in Bequia”.

Marketing coordinator at the St Vincent Brewery Kelvin Franklyn

Boat racing is one of the most anticipated activities during Easter Regatta.

Chairperson of the Bequia Sailing Regatta Committee Kris Gaye said this is the 39th year of the Bequia Easter Regatta.

“Bequia has got a unique cultural heritage in boat building and sailing and fishing, and the sailing club is pleased and proud to be associated with this,” Gaye stated.

The Regatta is not only for adults as there will be fun races for youngsters.

Gaye said that youngsters from Mayreau will be journeying to Bequia to compete; additionally, they are expecting participants from other islands including St Lucia. Prizes will be awarded on Easter Monday.

Flow’s Marketing and communication lead Nikala Williams

Acting chairperson of the Bequia Management Committee Onshore Regatta activities, Rochelle Tannis, said activities will begin on Thursday, April 18 to Monday, April 22. The theme for this year, according to Tannis, is “The Resurrection: The Greatest Miracle”. To this end, the activities will kick off with a gospel concert under the almond tree from 6:30 p.m. Tannis said the concert will be held in conjunction with the churches on the Island and the Bequia Gospel Fest Committee.

The Committee has also scheduled a Good Friday swim meet in partnership with the Rising Stars Swim Club. The swim meet takes place between the main jetty and the Frangipani Hotel and will start at 10 a.m. There will be an Easter egg hunt for children in Hamilton from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and the ECGC bake off is scheduled for Saturday, April 20.

Marketing Officer of the SVG Tourism Authority Natasha Anderson said the Bequia regatta onshore committee and the Bequia sailing club form an integral part of Easter Regatta activities. “Without them it makes our job more difficult and I must congratulate these two committees for doing such a wonderful job over the years,” Anderson said.

Anderson said the Authority offers consultancy support to community groups and made a call for groups to use this service, “we want more community groups to be like these committees… reach out to us so that we can work with you to develop more festivals to make the destination St Vincent and the Grenadines even better.”

Represented at the press conference were major sponsors of Bequia Easter regatta 2019: Flow, SV Distillers limited, and Hairoun. The Plantation Hotel is also a major sponsor of the Easter activities in Bequia.

The Bequia Easter Regatta press conference took place on Tuesday, April 2 at the Ministry of Tourism.(API)