All set for SEDU’s Small Business Boardwalk Fair in Charlestown December 12th

in NIA

Preparations taking place at the Samuel Hunkins Drive in Charlestown on December 11, one day before the area becomes a hive of activity during the Small Enterprise Development Unit’s upcoming Small Business Boardwalk Fair on December 12, 2019
Preparations taking place at the Samuel Hunkins Drive in Charlestown on December 11, one day before the area becomes a hive of activity during the Small Enterprise Development Unit’s upcoming Small Business Boardwalk Fair on December 12, 2019

NIA CHARLESTOWN NEVIS (December 11, 2019) — The Small Enterprise Development Unit (SEDU) on Nevis will host a Small Business Boardwalk Fair at the Samuel Hunkins Drive on December 12, 2019, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will showcase the island’s local goods and services from 26 participants in a festive atmosphere.

Ms. Rhonda Thompson, Business Counsellor and Marketing Officer at the Small Enterprise Development Unit, and coordinator of the Small Business Boardwalk Fair on Hunkins Drive on December 12, 2019 (file photo)
Ms. Rhonda Thompson, Business Counsellor and Marketing Officer at the Small Enterprise Development Unit, and coordinator of the Small Business Boardwalk Fair on Hunkins Drive on December 12, 2019 (file photo)

The event which will be held in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, coincides with the inaugural call of Crystal Serenity, the largest cruise ship to visit the Charlestown Port for the 2019/2020 Nevis Cruise Season a capacity of 1254 passengers.

Ms. Rhonda Thompson, Business Counsellor and Marketing Officer at SEDU who is also coordinating the event told the Department of Information on December 11, 2019, that the interest of small business owners went well.

“People are still calling as of today, one day before the event wanting to register. That’s how good the response has been. We had a cut-off date of December 6, to ensure that the logistics are properly put in place to ensure a smooth running event.

“We encourage persons to connect to SEDU through our Facebook page to get updates as to what we are doing next and to register early,” she said.

Ms. Thompson noted that the visitors would be exposed to a variety of local products and services including arts and crafts from the island’s artisan community, Fabric Art, the Agro Processing Centre, local liquor, hand-made soaps, tie dye, health and wellness, natural oils and honey and photography.

Hon. Mark Brantley Premier of Nevis, Minister of Finance and Minister of Tourism (file photo)
Hon. Mark Brantley Premier of Nevis, Minister of Finance and Minister of Tourism (file photo)

The Nevis Cultural Development Foundation (NCDF) will be making presentations throughout the day, and local award winning Chef Michael Henville from the Health Promotion Unit (HPU) will host cooking demonstrations,

The Nevis Culturama Committee will use the opportunity to promote Culturama 2020, the island’s foremost cultural festival which is held annually from July to August.

“They will be partnering with Cape Air, and patrons will have the opportunity to win free round trip air fare to and from Puerto Rico and three nights stay at the Mount Nevis Hotel,” the SEDU official said.

Passengers of the Crystal Serenity will have the opportunity to experience the Small Enterprise Development Unit’s Small Business Boardwalk Fair at the Samuel Hunkins Drive, when the ship makes its inaugural call to the Charlestown Port on December 12, 2019 (photo provided)
Passengers of the Crystal Serenity will have the opportunity to experience the Small Enterprise Development Unit’s Small Business Boardwalk Fair at the Samuel Hunkins Drive, when the ship makes its inaugural call to the Charlestown Port on December 12, 2019 (photo provided)

Meantime Hon. Mark Brantley, Premier of Nevis, Minister of Finance and Minister of Tourism threw his support behind the SEDU initiative at his November press conference.

“SEDU is hosting a boardwalk fair…and that boardwalk fair is their brainchild. They have come up with it. They are going to transform the Hunkins Drive, set up a number of booths along the Hunkins Drive…

“The idea really is to bring the stakeholders together…and SEDU has decided to partner with Tourism and create, if you will, a cornucopia of activity there. We hope to have those who are selling anything to do with fashion, you are going to have the masquerades, the music. We are going to have like a mini Culturama down there, and the idea really is an excellent one. I thank those at SEDU who continue, as I say, to make us proud,” he said.

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