August 1st, the BVI Rotary family, which comprise four Rotary Clubs Rotary Club of Tortola. Road Town, Sunrise of Road Town and Central Tortola, returned to its tradition of leading a successfully executing a Float for the 2022 BVI’s Emancipation Parade!
Since its two-year hiatus due to COVID and its restrictions, it was a great opportunity to fellowshipping together as a family and to showcase the true meaning of Rotary in a grand style under the sweet music of local artists.
As Community leaders, our participation in the Territory’s celebration is important.
The club has participated in the general parade for over 50 years and often wins the top prize in float competitions.
This year, the committee was comprised of members from three Rotary clubs (Tortola, Road Town and Sunrise of Road Town) who strategized a plan of action and executed it perfectly. Architect and Past President Lavina from Road Town agreed to create a new design and utilized the 2022 theme of “Imagine Rotary” along with the Seven areas of Focus as her inspiration behind the float.
Other members came together and quickly assembled the float using recyclable materials and painted it till its completion.
The float was called “Flowers of Service”.
Each flower on the float represented an Area of Focus:
- Peace and Conflict Resolution/ Prevention,
- Disease Prevention and Treatment,
- Water and Sanitation,
- Maternal and Child Health,
- Basic Education and Literacy,
- Economic and Community Development and
- Supporting the Environment.
Each flower also consisted of seven petals, again representing the seven areas of focus and noted on this year's theme by seven dots surrounding a circle of continuity.
The bouquet on the float was done in celebration of Rotary International's first woman President Jennifer Jones and symbolized the theme "Imagine Rotary" with its connection to John Lennon's iconic song "Imagine" with its ideals of peace, harmony, spiritual growth and joy.
Many thanks to Vice President Abby for formulating the committee members, Past president Lynette for the logistics with the shirts, drinks and food, and PP Dion and PE Kelvin for their contributions towards the construction and breakdown of the float.
Special thank you to PP Percy for continued support in donating the lowboy, truck, and drivers, conscientiously storing the materials, and generosity in providing the club with a new 40’ storage container!
Thanks to ALL the hard-working Rotarians who came out every Saturday to execute this project
