Unbiased look at the Sint Maarten Elections
MARIGOT--The 13th edition of "Les Mardis de Grand Case" kicked off Tuesday evening with a ribbon cutting outside the Lolos at 6:00 where scores of tourists had already descended on the main boulevard, making sure to come early to secure a parking spot for the first of what will be eight weekly events every Tuesday night in season.
Organized each year by Calypso Events, Tuesday Nights has become one of the most successful events in the calendar drawing tourists and locals alike to the boulevard that is transformed into a pedestrian-only street market. The unique ambiance is further enhanced by carnival parades, live bands and street performers.
Organizer Chantal Vernusse disclosed the entire length of the boulevard will be lined with 123 stall holders.
President of the Collectivité Aline Hanson cut the ribbon to open the event. Also present were MP Daniel Gibbs, President of St. Martin Tourism Office Jeanne Rogers- Vanterpool, Vice-Presidents Ramona Connor and Wendell Cocks, various Territorial Councillors, Philipe Thevenet from the St. Martin Hotel Association, and Jose Manriques from the Restaurants Association.
Prefet Philippe Chopin was not present but was represented by his Chef de Cabinet Emmanuel Effantin.
Opening remarks were made by Aline Hanson, Daniel Gibbs and Jeanne Rogers-Vanterpool.
While the event attracts between 2 to 3,000 persons each Tuesday night, this year it has been reduced from its normal run of 12 Tuesday nights down to eight with a smaller budget because of a lack of local sponsors.
Vernusse and her team of nine have said they prefer to organize eight events well rather than try to stretch out the last four which may turn out to be less than well organized.
"St. Martin Tourism Office and the Collectivité understand the importance of this event for locals and tourists and I invite Chantal to come to the tourism office so that we can take another look and see what we can do to help," said Rogers Vanterpool. "When it comes to animation for tourists this event is right up there and something we always promote with tour operators and travel agents."
The tourism office contributes 20,000 euros annually to the event.
