According to the Business Development Manager at the TPP, Zoe Walcott, the celebrations start with entertainment, music and a sense of Christmas throughout the entire park from the morning into the evening.

Walcott said the first day will begin with music at nine in the morning with DJ Lloyd. She added there will be a live performance from Virgin Gorda musician Dennis Vanterpool starting at 1 pm.

Afterwards, DJ Marz will take over from 5 pm until 9 pm.

“You know all of our islands still have their own little culture. So, we try as best as possible to provide a well-rounded experience,” Walcott stated.

She further said the TPP will have its Christmas Family Feud starting at 7 pm. This segment of the event happened last year and Walcott described it as a hit among patrons.

“Whatever we do, we always try to support as best as possible different agencies and what they continue to do to try and aid people in our communities that face different challenges. So, this year, four families are going to compete for $2,500—a thousand dollars [from which] they are going to regift to one of four agencies. Those up for it are Spina Bifida Awareness, the Family Support Network, the BVI Red Cross, and the BVI Cancer Society,” Walcott added.

On Friday, the day’s events begin at 8:30 am with the Royal Gospel Band. Marcus Mark from Virgin Gorda will take over from them at 12:30 pm until 4:30 pm. There will then be a fashion show that starts at 5 pm.

The fashion show will partner with 13 tenants of the park as well as two outside businesses. The models will include former Miss BVIs such as Ayana Hull, Luce Hodge Smith and Bria Smith. The day will continue with the official lighting of the Christmas Tree.

“We have the official lighting of the Christmas tree. We started early this year but the fates worked against us. It is within us that when we are given lemons, we make lemonade, lemon meringue pie and every variation possible. Our 30 feet tree has been stuck somewhere in the harbour since November. It has not made its way but we do have a fill-in tree and we will light that officially to kickstart things,” Walcott said.

The management of the TPP will also be having two competitions on Friday night—Clash of the Carolers and Clash of the Steel Pans. The Clash of the Carolers will feature Zion Hill Methodist Church, Band of Faith (the Scatliffe’s from Long Trench) and Foggy Mountain Boys. The prize will be $1,001 for the winner and $299 for the runner-up.

The Clash of the Pans will feature Zion Hill Steel Orchestra vs the Shooting Stars and they will be competing for $1,300.

There are more events planned for Saturday as things start off at 7 am with ‘Workout with Mitch’ featuring DJ Turbo. Afterwards, there will be a Christmas Parade in the Park and the prizes are $1,000 for the winner, $600 for second place and $250 for third place.

The parade will be led by the current Miss BVI, Kathlyn Archibald-Drew. There will also be gift-giving to children by the Rotary Club of Central Tortola.

The evening will culminate with ‘Meet Us at The Movies’ starting at 6 pm. The park will be showing three movies — A Muppets Christmas-Letters to Santa, Disney’s Noelle, and Four Christmases.

With the recent announcement by the Health Minister that there is a rise in COVID-19 cases in Tortola, Walcott said they will continue to do everything possible to protect staff and patrons. She referenced the number of persons who came to the Halloween event in October and how the Pier Park was able to house them safely.