In picture-perfect weather, Vincentians from all walks of life on Saturday, Aug. 16, converged on the picturesque and expansive Heckscher State Park in East Islip, Long Island for the massive Vincy Day Picnic.
Nationals trekked from as far as Canada and Miami, as well as from their homeland, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, for the 13th annual extravaganza.
With the temperature hovering around 83 degrees, thousands of Vincentians, Caribbeans, and other nationals converged on the park’s Camp Grounds for the day-long spectacle.
They met and greeted relatives and friends – many of whom they had not seen in years – at the 1,657-acre state park on the shore of the Great South Bay. The event featured, among other things, pulsating Vincentian and Caribbean Soca and calypso music, and steel pan and gospel music, and showcased a kaleidoscope of colors – including the Vincentian national colors, green, gold (yellow) and blue – and a potpourri of Vincy dishes.
Interspersed with DJ music, the Vincentian-owned Magma Band, led by renowned keyboardist Adrian Bailey, backed up several calypsonians and Soca and reggae artistes, and provided hypnotic rhythms to the frenzied party crowd at the main stage on the eastern corner of the grounds.
Dennis Bowman sings Poorsah’s “Go Right in Dey”Photo by Nelson A. King
Consul General Rondy “Luta” McIntosh, center, with co-MCs Atiba Williams, left, and Hailes CastelloPhoto by Nelson A. King
Chanique Rogers-Bailey out-front with Magma BandPhoto by Nelson A. King
The show featured, among others, Alyssa Seales, and Timmi Straker and Super K on steel pan; Hymm Legendary singing reggae, R&B and Soca music; Brother Don and Evangelist LaFleur Durrant Sprott singing gospel music; Gregory Olive and Jose Juan with calypso; Dennis Bowman singing both soca and calypso; and K. Amir, Prezzi Don, Skarpyon and Rondy “Luta” McIntosh (Consul General to the United States).
After revving up the party crowd with “Busy Tone”, “Tight Spot” and “Bad Mind”, McIntosh told Caribbean Life that he was delighted to see nationals coming together to celebrate their “Vincyness with our Vincy cuisine, Vincy beverages and Vincy colors, along with our Vincy culture, that keep us true to our roots and our identity.
“I urge all Vincentians living in the Diaspora to reserve one day of the year to join us at Heckscher State Park for this grand reunion, where our culture comes alive,” he added. “May God bless our people and keep us through to our identity, and that we may not forget where we came from! Vincy to the bone!”
Mylene Matthews, who trekked from North Carolina, said she brought along her family for the showcase.
“This is good,” she said. “I love it. All my family is here – my son and my three grandkids.”
Co-stage Manager Gary “Tunka” Edwards, left, with his son, reggae, R&B and Soca artiste Hymm LegendaryPhoto by Nelson A. King
Consul General Rondy “Luta” McIntosh revs up the party crowd with “Busy Tone”Photo by Nelson A. King
The effervescent party crowdPhoto by Nelson A. King
As she swayed to Skarpyon’s “Hammer”, Brooklyn resident Desree Quashie, said she was excited to be part of the festivity.
“It’s a better package than last year,” she said, flanked by Daphne James, a registered nurse and fellow villager from South Rivers in the North Central Windward constituency in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. “There are hardly any empty areas like last year.
“I’ve been coming regularly,” Quashie added. “You’ve seen a lot of improvements since COVID.”
Still, she said, “A lot of people stayed away because of ICE (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement). There could have been more people.”
Terrance Edwards, who helped promote his cousin Dr. Richard A. Byron-Cox’s book The Story of Pauline Bramble, said the picnic was “very nice.”
“Everybody is just getting together, picnicking, celebrating,” he said. “Everybody is enjoying themselves – no bad activity. It’s one of the best Vincy Days I’ve seen.”
South Rivers villagers Desree Quashie, left, and Daphne James, a registered nurse, having a good time.Photo by Nelson A. King
Skarpyon performs “The Hammer”Photo by Nelson A. King
Expressing joy on Vincy Day USA 2025Photo by Nelson A. King
Prezzi Don brings some vibes to the partyPhoto by Nelson A. King
Gary “Tunka” Edwards, co-stage manager, commended the Vincy Day Committee, stating that they are “doing a tremendous job in bringing the community together.
“It’s one of the biggest day gatherings in North America (for Vincentians),” he said. “Buses came from Canada and Boston; people came from Miami. We’re looking for bigger and better.”
Raymond Otis Lewis, chair of Vincy Day USA, Inc., said that the Annual Vincy Day, which is usually held on the third Saturday in Aug., is “unrivalled.”
“Vincy Day brings families together,” he said. “It gives you one day to decompress.
“It’s time to enjoy yourself,” Lewis added. “So, that’s the reason behind what we do. We do this without fear or favor.”