VG Pre‑Father’s Day Event Declared Success
Hon Vincent O. Wheatley says a pre-Father’s Day community celebration on Virgin Gorda drew strong support, featuring live music, plentiful food and a mix of residents of all ages. The event, which brought together House of Assembly members and islanders, will be held annually, Wheatley confirmed to Virgin Islands News Online.
Wheatley has described a pre-Father’s Day celebration on Virgin Gorda as a resounding success, saying the community turned out in force for an evening of music, food and fellowship. Speaking to Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) on Saturday, June 20, 2026, Wheatley said, "It was very, very well supported.
We had live music, lots of food." He explained the event was his idea to create a space where fathers could gather outside the usual Father’s Day family time: "Instead of coming together on Father’s Day, people would want to spend it with their families…I decided let’s do a community event for the fathers." The event attracted broad community participation, Wheatley added, noting that many mothers and other family members also attended and stayed longer than planned. "They stayed an extra hour because people didn’t want to go home; they were having so much fun," he said.
Wheatley said the gathering provided an opportunity for residents to meet elected representatives in a relaxed setting. House of Assembly colleagues who supported the event included Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7); Junior Minister for Tourism and Culture Hon Luce D.
Hodge-Smith (R4); Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5); and Junior Minister for Financial Services and Economic Development Hon Lorna G. Smith (AL). "It was also a time for persons on Virgin Gorda to meet these other representatives," Wheatley noted, highlighting the value of face-to-face engagement between constituents and their leaders.
He said the primary aim was to bring people together in "a nice, safe environment" where neighbours could mingle and enjoy themselves. Following the positive turnout and community feedback, Wheatley confirmed he plans to make the pre‑Father’s Day celebration an annual fixture on Virgin Gorda.
He described the inaugural event as, "a very successful event [with] the intention to bring people together, to mingle with each other in a nice, safe environment and to meet my other colleagues in the House of Assembly." Community events such as this play a key role in island life, offering residents chances to strengthen local ties, support small vendors and engage directly with public officials.
According to VINO, the celebration’s atmosphere and cross‑community support suggest it could become a regular highlight on Virgin Gorda’s calendar.
Primary source: VINO