Rarely one would see a consul general headlining a major cultural event. But that was the case on Saturday, as St. Vincent and the Grenadines Consul General to the United States Rondy “Luta” McIntosh, a renowned soca artiste, clearly, outperformed other artistes, as he brought the house down, stage-side, at the massive annual Vincy Day USA Picnic at the picturesque Heckscher State Park in East Islip, Suffolk County, Long Is.
McIntosh took over the show, with the party crowd jumping and wining – and going wild – during his performance.
He put party lovers in a “Tight Spot” and followed up with his signature hit, “We Out Here”, as well as with “Throw Bad Mind”, “Lehgo Thing” and “Charlie Charlie.”
McIntosh told Caribbean Life immediately afterwards that it was “a Vincy festival filled with love.
“It’s, indeed, a much larger crowd than last year – very responsive, filled with energy and vibe,” he said. “Vincy Day is one day we should never let die.
“It’s the one day we see the true colors of Vincentians – colors of unity, colors of togetherness, which equates to colors of love,” he added. “We’re keeping the Vincy spirit alive, and the Vincy spirit must never die.”
Among other soca and calypso artistes who entertained the party-loving crowd were: Marvo O’Brien, Jose Juan, Persona, Denis Bowman, Man Kemmy, Hypa 4000 and Hailes Castello, who served as Master of Ceremonies, along with Atiba Williams and Kamla Millwood.
The Brooklyn-based Mas Productions Unlimited offered a preview of its production for the West Indian American Day Carnival Parade; and poet and playwright Francesca Sam presented a skit, dubbed “A Conversation with Beryl”, referring to the recent destruction caused by Hurricane Beryl in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and the Grenada dependencies of Carriacou and Petit Martinique, as well as the southern part of Jamaica. Dramatist Wendy Bushay, played Betty as a supporting actress in the skit.
Attributes of Christ Ministries, an evangelical church in Brooklyn, which was founded and pastored by the late Brother William Muckett, opened the spectacular event with prayers, followed by Praise and Worship.
In picture-perfect weather, with a high of 79 degrees, thousands of Vincentians across the United States converged on the Camp Grounds at for the day-long spectacle.
Other Caribbean nationals also joined the festivities, trekking from as far as Canada, among other places, to participate in the celebration, and to meet and greet relatives and friends at the 1,657-acre (6.71 km2) state park on the shore of the Great South Bay in Suffolk County.
The event featured a kaleidoscope of colors – including the Vincentian national colors, green, gold (yellow) and blue – and a potpourri of Vincy dishes.
Monica Laborde brought along Caribbean and American nationals on the four-hour drive by bus from Boston.
“Every year, we come to Vincy Day,” she told Caribbean Life, as a Barbadian friend dished out stewed turkey wings and pig feet souse to passersby. “We only stopped for Vincy Day.
“I feel good,” added Laborde about the event, sampling dacuna, a potato-based pastry, she obtained from Laverne McDowald-Thompson, the former president, now vice president, of the Brooklyn-based Council of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Organizations, USA, Inc. (COSAGO), the umbrella Vincentian group in the US.
“I enjoy doing it,” continued Laborde about organizing the trip from Boston. “I’ve been doing it since it (Vincy Day USA Picnic) started over a decade ago.”
A few yards away, McDowald-Thompson gathered under a tent with some COSAGO members, including new president Crispin Friday and his wife, Ancilla, and their children and grandchild.
“People come to socialize, meeting people they have not seen in years,” said McDowald-Thompson, serving pelau, a favorite Vincentian dish, comprising stewed chicken and rice. “People reach out before the picnic. It’s a lot to organize, but it’s good for them to come out.
“It’s our pride to have a day to show that,” she added. “It’s a day when you show your national dishes.”
Further along, Charles Thompson, a Brooklyn resident, accompanied by three Senegalese “brothers”, sat under at tent.
Thompson said he was up early Saturday preparing, with the help of a relative, ground provisions, plantain, bananas, coconut dumplings, and stewed pork and saltfish, and barbecue chicken.
“It’s great,” he said about the extravaganza. “It’s always extra energy. It’s nice seeing Vincies coming together and celebrating. Vincies are always together.”
As the picnic was about to wrap up, Allison Straker, a native of the town of Barrouallie in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, served Albert Texiera, a former national and Windward Islands cricketer, and Brooklyn resident, a cup of callaloo soup, and a plate of mouth-watering Black Fish and ground provisions.
“We’ve been here for the past,” Straker told Caribbean Life, flanked by former St. Vincent and the Grenadines Education and Health Minister Clayton Burgin, now serving as Warden at the Kingstown Town Board in his native land.
“I look forward to it,” added Straker. “With Vincentians being around, you feel at home away from home.”
Vincy Day USA, Inc., the Brooklyn-based Vincy Day Organizing Committee, said that the much-anticipated annual gathering “brings together the Vincentian community for a day filled with culture, camaraderie and celebration,” stating that the “the lush landscapes” at Heckscher State Park provides “the perfect backdrop for a day of festivities.
“Vincy Day is more than just an event; it’s a heartfelt gathering where Vincentians from all walks of life unite to honour their heritage, share experiences and embrace the spirit of community,” the group said. “With a picturesque park as a backdrop, attendees enjoy a variety of activities that showcase the rich cultural traditions of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, while also enjoying a day of relaxation and enjoyment.”
The Organizing Committee said families are always “encouraged to bring their favorite dishes to share, fostering a spirit of community and togetherness that is at the heart of Vincentian culture,” adding that the highlight of the day was “a spectacular concert showcasing a lineup of talented Vincentian artistes.”
Raymond Otis Lewis, chair of Vincy Day USA, Inc., told Caribbean Life that the 12th Annual Vincy Day, which is usually held on the third Saturday in August, is “a beautiful celebration of our culture and community.”
He described this year’s event as “very successful – another one for the books.
“We had a good turn-out,” Lewis said. “Our numbers are coming back up after COVID.
“Heartfelt thank you to all the sponsors,” he added, listing among them: Standard Shippers; Standard Caribbean Shippers, Inc.; Square Deal Shippers; SVG Tourism Authority; SVG Teachers Co-operative Credit Union, Ltd.; ANCH Construction; Sheff’s HVAC; Tiffany Toney; Nekes Events; Abbot Paint and Varnish; Nanni Health Food; Lips Café; Island Sipz Water; ECGC; and Royal Heating and Air Conditioning, LLC.
“It a very expensive exercise,” continued Lewis about the grand picnic. “For all patrons, we thank you immensely.”
