Villagers of Eggleston met today, Sunday 11th August 2013, for a Thanksgiving Social, to mark their successful hosting of the 1st annual Eggleston Heritage Festival held on August 3rd to 5th 2013.
The festival is part of Emancipation Celebrations 2013.
The interest and love for heritage-type activities led to the organizing of this event. The aim was to bring out the creative talents and skills of the villagers and rekindle the koudmen spirit of the community. It was also a means of bringing in some income to the village.
To increase the excitement, participation and togetherness of the villagers and other patrons, a month of activities was scheduled. The programme of activities included educational, fun, and construction-type activities which commenced on July 5th. All the events were successful.
Over 95% of the approximately 400 villagers of Eggleston and many others were involved in some aspects of the programme. They gave ideas and shared whatever resources they could – money, time, talent, skills, food items for display and construction etc.
The features on the Heritage Site were: a walkway to the site, a ticket booth, four main sections in the bamboo House (Kai Nous) main exhibition area, depicted the Ridgefield Estate; local agricultural produce, kitchen antiques, a display of all other antiques used at home, garden, office etc. There was a section with traditional outfits and musical instruments honouring the memories of the deceased Marvelyn Robinson.
The outside of the house had creative displays/scenes of the old time kitchen, herb garden and stall, a local zoo, wood carvings, traditional toys and games, and a landscaped garden.
The pre-school building was transformed into a Hall of Fame with photos of the deceased who contributed to the growth of the village and photos of some present community stalwarts, youth in entertainment etc. and special sites in the community. It also housed a photo studio operated by one of the young entrepreneurs. The rest of the grounds had an arrangement of 10 vending booths (made from bamboo) and a tent covered section with a stage. The opening ceremony, Ti Famme Heritage Pageant and other activities were held there.
The Eggleston Heritage Festival really brought out the creative talents and skills of several villagers and rekindled the koudmen spirit of the community.
The bamboo House (Kai Nous) will be set up with more antiques from September – November 30th commencing this year, to welcome school children, local and foreign tourists etc. Kai Nous and the rest of the Heritage Site will be reorganized each year from July to have the festival.
The photos below were taken at the festival.
Good Job Eggleston! Looking forward to more next year.
wow-it’s so real-keep up the good work!
great…….it was just great…..looking forward to so much more!!!!!!
Heritage girl
Congratulations very good forward thinking progressive and productive, i’m proud of kaibelle
Excellent effort and team work to make this Festival successful. I was pleased to know that Marvlyn Robinson was remembered. This shows how appreciative you were and still are of her assistance, caring and sharing during her latter years. No doubt she will always be remembered.
It brought back memories of her. She was not physically present but know that she was spiritually present.
If her brother Donnie were alive (sad that he passed on suddenly a few months after her), he would have participated in the Festival in memory of her. Good luck for the duration of this year’s Festival and for future ones. God bless!
Amazing job done guys! This event brought togetherness and joy among the villagers. I truly enjoyed being part of it and I’m looking forward to it next year.
Proud villager!
Very proud wish I was home, nicely done
Great work Eggleston. I really like the idea. Congratulations and keep it up.