 Thousands of Vincentians from all walks of life last Saturday converged on Brown’s Bay Park in Ontario, Canada, for what has been described as the largest gathering of nationals at a single event, outside their homeland.
The humongous Vincy Picnic, in the environs of the world famous 1000 Islands Region, an international tourism destination, encompassing communities on both sides of the US and Canada border, along the St. Lawrence River and the eastern shores of Lake Ontario, attracted over 10,000 nationals residing across the North American continent, as well as those who trekked from home annually for the unforgettable, massive spectacle.
The annual pilgrimage brought bus and car loads of nationals from major US and Canadian cities – such as New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Toronto, Vancouver, Ottawa and Montreal – for the memorable experience.
The sound, smell, color, taste and everything else Vincentian were inevitably on display at the elaborate picnic, which was, essentially, a misnomer for extravaganza.
“I’m just extremely proud to see this thing come true, to be part of it,” exclaimed James Cordice, president of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Organization of Pennsylvania, which collaborated with the Brooklyn-based Vincentian umbrella organization, Council of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Organizations, U.S.A., Inc. (COSAGO), in trekking nationals to the event.
COSAGO provided three full buses with nationals from the New York metropolitan area, while the Pennsylvania group provided another. Each bus comprised at least 55 seats.
“It’s really a beautiful thing,” added Cordice, one of several chefs, kneading dumplings for the cook-out, as popular DJ, Super Eyes, blasted Vincy and other Caribbean vibes for gyrating picnic-goers, in a VINCENTIAN interview.
Luther and Fireman Hooper were among leading Vincentian artistes, who entertained the “giant party,” with music also supplied by Toronto-based Capital Band.
Organizations heads speak
Laverne McDowald, COSAGO president, described the event as “a reunion of Vincentians and friends.”
“We look forward to this every year,” said the Chateaubelair native, barbecuing spare ribs, chicken legs and fish on an open grill.
“We didn’t realize the (large) number of Vincentians out here,” she added.
Tom Austin, president of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Association of Montreal, one of the organizers of the event, said he was overwhelmed by the incredulous crowd.
“It’s a great day for the picnic,” he said, lauding the picture perfect weather, with temperatures in the 80s and a gentle breeze coming from the adjacent lake.
“It’s bigger than anything I’ve seen,” continued Austin, a machine tool distributor, who migrated from his homeland in 1971.
Jack Dear, a former Customs Officer at home, one of the founders of the event in 1987, said, he, too, was amazed by its dramatic growth.
“This is one of the greatest shows on earth,” said the vice president of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Association of Montreal.
“We used to have picnics, but they were not organized like this,” he added.
Even Vincies are overwhelmed
‘Rooks’ Llewellyn, who hails from Sion Hill, said he will not miss the picnic for anything in the world.
“I’m always here,” said Llewellyn, who has been living in Toronto for the past 10 years. “I don’t miss it.
“This is the best picnic in the world,” he added. “We have friends and family here. We eat and drink something. And, most of all, there is no violence.”
Ruby Wood, CEO of Square Shippers and Movers in Brooklyn, who was among the COSAGO contingent, said she was “blown away by the beauty” of the site.
“I’m seeing Vincentians [who] I haven’t seen in over 30 years,” she said.
“They have more Vincentians here than on Labor Day [the annual West Indian carnival in Brooklyn on the first Monday in September].”
Basil Dublin, former co-owner of the defunct Golden Apple Restaurant in Kingstown, who drove by car for 10 hours from Brooklyn, said he was stunned by the spectacle.
“I’ve never seen so much Vincentians outside of St. Vincent and the Grenadines in one place,” he said.
“It feels good that Vincentians can come together in this way,” he added. “It shows unity. I wish this can happen in Brooklyn.”
Cecil Daniel, a computer programmer in Montreal, who hails from Biabou, said the picnic is also part of his annual plans.
“I come every year,” he said. “It’s great that the people can get together. I have people who come from St. Vincent and the Grenadines just for this.”
Claudette Thomas-Butler, sister of popular lawyer and columnist Jomo Thomas, said she was having a time of her life.
“I love it,” said the Brooklyn resident, who had first visited family members in Ottawa, then returned to Montreal for the picnic.
“For the first time, I’m meeting a lot of Vincentians, who I did not see for lots of years,” added Thomas, surrounded by over a dozen relatives and friends at a tent.
“The food is good, the music is nice, and I’m having a good time,” she continued.
Ulpian Toney, a Calliaqua native, who lives in Brockport, 400 miles north of New York City, said the picnic is simply a massive Vincy re-union.
“It’s absolutely wonderful to see so many Vincentians in one place, especially that I live in a small village in West New York, where there are no Vincentians at all,” said the former Grammar School star athlete in the mid 1960s.
Cuthbert “Mr. Cool” James, originally from the North Leeward village of Coulls Hill, who now resides further north, in the town of Chateaubelair, said the picnic is part of his annual Montreal vacation package. His dad resides there.
“It’s amazing to see people you’ve not seen in years,” said the former school teacher at the Chateaubelair Methodist School, who is now director of the Peace Corps Volunteer Program in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. |
