Hundreds Flock as Anegada Lobster Festival Returns
Anegada’s 13th annual Lobster Festival returned on 29 and 30 November, produced by the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board & Film Commission (BVITBFC) in collaboration with the Anegada community, drawing hundreds of visitors from across the region and the U.S. mainland. Organisers say every ferry and plane arrived at capacity — including, for the first time, visitors from St. Croix on a Fly the Whale flight — while festivalgoers enjoyed day and nighttime activities, a passport-style sampler tour across nine restaurants, and family-friendly events (sources: VINO; Virgin Islands Daily News).
Anegada’s signature culinary weekend returned on 29 and 30 November with the 13th annual Anegada Lobster Festival, produced by the British Virgin Islands Tourist Board & Film Commission (BVITBFC) in collaboration with the Anegada community (VINO). The event wrapped up the BVI Food Fete Series, which also included Jost "Lime and Dine," a Taste of Virgin Gorda and BVI Restaurant Week on Tortola (Virgin Islands Daily News).
Arrivals by ferry and plane were greeted dockside with live music from fan-favourite Two Smooth and complimentary cocktails from Caribbean Cellars, and guests received the official Anegada Passport — a map and checklist of restaurants and attractions where stamps are collected to qualify for prizes (VINO).
A post on the BVI Food Fest Facebook page described the weekend as "immaculate," adding that "every ferry and plane came in packed to capacity," with visitors rolling in from Tortola, Virgin Gorda, St. Transportation was expanded for the weekend with scheduled ferries, car barges and private charters from Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke, St.
Thomas, plus Fly BVI service between Beef Island and Anegada and the special Fly the Whale trip from St. Free festival shuttles ran between participating restaurants from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and independent taxis operated under the Government Taxi Tariff (VINO). The festival’s dynamic scavenger-hunt-style format encouraged visitors to sample creative lobster dishes across nine participating restaurants, with patrons enjoying day and nighttime activities and island adventures (VINO).
Participating venues included Anegada Beach Club, Anegada Beach Hotel, Potter’s By the Sea, Anegada Reef, Tipsy, Lobster Trap, Anegada Reef Hotel and the Pink Flamingo, among others (Virgin Islands Daily News). Hundreds of visitors came from nearby islands and as far away as the U.S. mainland, and many praised the food and atmosphere (Virgin Islands Daily News). "I have been coming to Lobster Fest from its inception actually," said Karen Ward as she enjoyed lobster prepared by chef Vivian Roach of Big Bamboo (Virgin Islands Daily News).
Repeat visitor JodiAnn Purcell completed the full lobster sampler tour and praised improvements in marketing and organisation (Virgin Islands Daily News). Families were catered for with a Junior Explorer Tour Challenge for children aged 7–12, which asked youngsters to visit at least four of seven designated attractions with passport entries validated by photos and BVITBFC representatives; junior prizes were provided by community sponsors including CCT BVI, Wireless Photography, Island Services, The Bunker, Omar’s and the National Bank of the Virgin Islands (VINO; Virgin Islands Daily News).
Director of Tourism Clive McCoy said the event encouraged full participation by adults and children and celebrated the island’s culture and natural beauty, while BVITB deputy director Natasha Challwell called the weekend "very well" attended and welcomed the first Fly the Whale flight from the U.S.
Virgin Islands as a positive addition (VINO; Virgin Islands Daily News). District 9 Representative and Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Vincent O. Wheatley also shared highlights, calling it "a lob-tas-tic weekend in the ninth" on his Facebook page (VINO). Visitors can still vote online for the ALFFY Award for best lobster sampler by scanning the QR code on the LobsterFest Passport; organisers will announce winners of the Junior Explorer Tour Challenge, Sampler Tasting Competition and Favourite Sampler Restaurant Award once votes are tallied and results are finalised (VINO).
For schedules, updates and more information, visit BVIFOODFETE.COM/ANEGADA-LOBSTER-FESTIVAL or the BVI Food Fete Facebook page (VINO).
Primary source: VINO