By Marissa Foster

THE festive season is celebrated exquisitely by the people of the Ancient County of Berbice. The Rose Hall Town and Sports Club’s Annual Christmas Village is an example of that statement. This year, the coordinators of the village wanted to expand and improve the festivities of the event but due to COVID-19, that could not have happened. Hilbert Foster is the secretary/CEO of the Rose Hall Town and Sports Club, M.S. His club decided to launch such an initiative six years ago to promote the true meaning of Christmas; the birth of Jesus Christ on the Christian calendar and the season of joy and giving. The Christmas Village is one of the first of its kind in Guyana and people usually travel from near and far to see the attractions. It has become one of Berbice’s main attractions during the Christmas season.

Joel Pike is a resident of Rose Hall Town and he expressed his gratitude and excitement about the village by saying: “The Christmas Village always had a special place in me and my family’s heart. We look forward for it every year and we are so happy that it will still be around this year.” Denica Henry is a Berbice social media influencer who hails from Bloomfield, a neighbouring village of Rose Hall. She expressed her appreciation for the Christmas Village by saying, “This is a wonderful initiative. There are not many family-oriented Christmas outing options around, but this village serves as the best model of one. I am glad that despite COVID-19, Berbicians will still be able to upkeep the festivities of Christmas as the village is a safe alternative for families to go out during the pandemic.”

The Christmas Village has received permission from the National COVID-19 task force to host this year’s event with strict measures and guidelines from The COVID-19 Emergency Measures (No.12). The festivities start on the 22nd to 24th of December at 14:00hrs to 22:00hrs. Every person who enters the vicinity must wear a face mask and will have their temperature checked and their hands, feet and belongings will be sanitised. A maximum of 60 persons will be allowed for approximately 20 minutes at a time. Social distancing will be in effect at all times and persons who fail to observe these rules will be asked to leave the premises. The event is also hosted in an outside venue, on the lawns of the Rose Hall Town Primary School. Families will be able to view sights and take pictures of various festive scenes such as a 20-foot Christmas tree, inflatable Christmas characters, a family festive bridge, a Christmas chimney, toy houses and the Nativity scene.

The RHTYSC reassured the general public that they will abide by all of the COVID-19 measures that will ensure the safety of everyone in attendance. They explained that they have worked above and beyond to spread the Christmas cheer because they understand the current uncertainty the world is experiencing. The club hopes that their efforts can put a smile on the faces of families in Berbice. The club is aware of how deeply embedded the village is with the Christmas culture in Berbice. “It’s just like baking your black cake, preparing ginger beer or shopping for Christmas gifts—it is Berbice’s new way and improved way of observing Christmas,” explained Hilbert Foster. “We know how much this village means to a lot of families. Wear your masks, stay six feet apart and come into our Christmas wonderland—you won’t be disappointed.”