What started as a small Christmas drive-through has grown into a community celebration on the North Coast.
This year, Auntie Patsy’s Bake and Shark expanded its Christmas initiative, hosting children from multiple villages at the Maracas Bay Community Centre for a day of holiday cheer.
For Patsy Whiskey, affectionately known as “Auntie Patsy” along the North Coast, the response from the community exceeded expectations.
“I am very happy, very very happy. From how it turned out, weather and everything. I just want everybody to be happy, everybody I want to be happy in our village.”
From the looks of it, the children were happy to be a part of the event.
Stacy Joseph, a member of Auntie Patsy’s team, said the move from a drive-through format to an event in one space allowed the team at Patsy’s Bake and Shark to expand the celebration to include children from across the North Coast.
“It was a very good thought for Patsy’s Bake and Shark, Maracas Bay. This is our second annual Christmas treat. This year we have it at Maracas Bay Community Centre. As you see, all the children from different communities are here today, and we just want to big up all the children, and they’re so happy.”
The event also celebrated the long-standing role the family business has played in the Maracas Bay community. Ms. Joseph described the business as a staple along the North Coast.
“Auntie Patsy’s bake and shark has been here for some years, since in the car park roadside days. Auntie Patsy has been here, and everybody should know Auntie Patsy at Maracas Bay by now. Famous for bake and shark, aloo pie, shrimps, a little of everything she has in her establishment.”
She said, through support from customers and sponsors, the event was made possible through collective effort and community support.
For another team member, Michael Gardoo, the celebration was about giving back.
“We actually cater for about 400 children. So if you work it out that with the families, that must be about 200 families. I want to cry, it was joy to me to see them come out. They come from all over. They didn’t only come out from the Maracas Bay community, they came from Las Cuevas, they came from La Fillette, they came from as far as Blanchisseuse. They all came down.”
Auntie Patsy and her team are hopeful that the community Christmas celebration will return next year, continuing the tradition of giving back to children along the North Coast.