Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/5800/-1/135/
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Festival Del Mar A Success Despite Odds
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Festival Del Mar, held at Island Harbour Bay on March 22 and 23, has been described as a success despite the odds which militated against it. One of the competing drawbacks, until he was rescued, was the disappearance at sea of village fisherman, Sam Webster, which had not only overshadowed the event, but threatened its cancellation.
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A section of the vast crowd at Island Harbour Bay
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The other, was the high tide which swept in from the north and which, in some ways, limited such events as boat-racing and the deep-sea competition. Only two young fishermen, Roger Smith and Patrick Webster, who always have bragging rights to settle, ventured out and netted the largest pounds of catch and the largest size of fish respectively, thus winning prizes.
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The Super Fly String Band in action
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Residents and visitors turned out in large numbers at the bay for the varied cultural events which included sunfish and model boat-racing and swimming in the inshore waters, as well as running and cycling races which started at the nearby main road. A highlight of the festival was a culinary competition in which many persons participated with finger-licking menus of fried and baked fish and Johnny cakes. Some of the fish was caught the same day despite the high sea-swells while other supplies were kept in storage for a few days leading up to the festival.
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Amy and Michele with fundraising seafood dish
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Among the food menus was a large platter of rice and sea food served to all and sundry by part-owners Michel Falegand and Amy Hunte of Cort Mer Seaside Restaurant as a fund-raising effort for St. Andrew’s Anglican Church and other charities. The two days of cultural activities were accompanied by the rhythms of Smokey and the Boys and the Super fly String Bands.
Festival Del Mar was a creation of the Anguilla Tourist Board through its Festivals Coordinator, Fitzroy Tomlinson and an Organising Committee under the chairmanship of Othlyn Vanterpool.
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Display of Deep Sea Catch courtesy of Ivor Hodge
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“This festival will stay in Island Harbour,” Tomlinson predicted. “I think Island Harbour is the only place which presents the type of environment for us to do an event of that nature. We want to keep every section of the event within a cultural context. If we don’t do that, we are going to spoil it. There were people with seafood dishes that they did not realise they could produce. They presented something that was unique and significant. It will take the Tourist Board, the Government and other entities to help them to design and develop the kind of unique festival we all want to have. That is where my role will be to help steer the event.
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Sunfish Race in Progress courtesy of Ivor Hodge
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“The festival is simple; it is cultural, on the beach and it is community-based. The first persons one saw coming were tourists who wanted to be a part of the event. Had the seas been better, we would have had more boats in the fishing tournament. Roger and Pat were the only two fishermen in the competition and they made the event something to talk about and who won which trophy and what they will do next year in their friendly rivalry.
“I have worked on a number of festivals in Anguilla but this one has given me a sincere feeling that the people appreciated what was done for them. It is all about doing it for the community. It is not an event that one has to pay an entrance fee or to set up a booth space. We just manage it well.”
Tomlinson expressed thanks to all persons who participated in and supported Festival Del Mar and promised an even better event next year, all things being equal.
Othlyn Vanterpool was equally appreciative of the involvement and support of many persons. “I am very pleased because it was something we were going into for the first time and hoping for the best,” he said. “The weather was not on our side but we were depending on the community to come out and they came out in large numbers. People who were not in Island Harbour since in the 80s were there and the elderly folk from the village were all there enjoying themselves.”
Vanterpool added: “I can see Festival Del Mar becoming a big addition to our tourism product and we will definitely attract more visitors here during the Easter season when it is held. I was truly impressed by the participation and enjoyment shown all the people. Even our Ministers of Government were there on both days of the festival and they came and told us that it was well organised and how much they were enjoying it.”