By Deandrea Hamilton
Editor
#TurksandCaicos, April 7, 2022 – When she set out, the mission was to hunt down the ideal new location for the Island Fish Fry which had become the financial blessing responsible for enabling some of her family’s most fantastic endeavours. She told me what she noticed, was the Turks and Caicos’ economic revival in the midst of Covid-19 was steadily gaining momentum, but it appeared the cultural extravaganza which drew thousands of residents and guests to one spot for a three hour cultural explosion was left behind and left out of the post-Covid scene.
There were promises to get it back on stream, but assertive action was missing in action. The hold up, Island Fish Fry needed a new home, a venue which could allow people the space to physically distance, the freedom to dance, the room to dine and the chance to delight in the culture of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
That is when her go-getter instinct kicked into overdrive and drive she did, all over Providenciales in search of the ideal spot and she found it.
Now, Island Fish Fry is slated for a Thursday April 21, 2022 return at a new location, the PTV parking lot in The Bight.
It is three times the size of the Bight Park where Island Fish Fry struggled to survive, even before the Coronavirus Pandemic.
The site masterfully filled the LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION criteria and the owners – thank God – were willing.
One of the most expansive parking lots in the Turks and Caicos, People’s Television or PTV became an instant front-runner. Soon, nothing could top it and now, it is decidedly the new home of the TCI Tourist Board’s Island Fish Fry.
PTV’s parking lot at the Stubbs Diamond Plaza is only minutes away from Grace Bay. It is supersized, graded with an even surface and now, it is electrically outfitted to comfortably power-up the 54 booths for vendors.
The Minister of Health, Jamell Robinson informed that the venue had to be able to accommodate those essential Covid-19 protocols.
That means, it had to be spacious and the PTV parking lot is certainly that.
It would need to be able to fit all of the vendors, which range from food to drinks to desserts to art & craft and souvenirs.
The PTV parking lot can also do that
and while there are anticipated bumps in the road as Island Fish Fry begins its journey in this ‘new normal’ Vendors will be spaced a decent distance and sanitizing stations will be set up at each.
You can also sanitize upon entry at the ‘Fry’.
Beyond the food, drinks and shopping there is merriment in cultural dances, live band music and a junkanoo rush out with We Funk and Henry the Conch.
It means there needs to be room for the parade and room for the stage. That room is carved out at left rear of the property.
Perfect, it seems as it will draw the audience deep into the site where there is always a vivacious host, a great show and even the surprise celebrity guest now and again! Remember when NBA superstar Shaquille O’Neal showed off his DJ skills on stage; that video went viral in seconds.
Drake, Beenie Man and the Kardashians are among the A-Listers who have cruised the crowds and graced the Fry.
With such media-grabbing moments and visitors, it is no wonder a major goal of the vendors, the managers and the organizers of Island Fish Fry is for the environment to remain safe, even COVID-free.
The other goal of the Island Fish Fry is to restore the personal economies of residents who banked on the Thursday evening festivity.
Restoring the Fry also opens the door to other islanders who are standing in line with a desire to add their down home talents to the down home extravaganza which has become the hottest happening in Providenciales.
Island Fish Fry will continue to be enjoyed once each week on Thursdays; transforming a parking area for three hours from 5:30pm to 9:30pm in a come-back which is now only three weeks away.
The only things left to do, are to get the formal announcement from the TCI Tourist Board and hear of the reopening plans. Then we show up in support of our artisans, home chefs, budding entrepreneurs and entertainers and although a masks outdoors is no longer mandatory, you may want to walk with yours, just in case.