The crowd came, the ribbon was cut and the 2009-10 Crucian Christmas Festival was officially under way with the opening of the festival mini-village in Christiansted.
Music pulsed through the Christian "Shan" Hendricks Vegetable Market and the air was redolent with the smell of pate and popcorn, conch and kallaloo – not to mention such staples as pizza and cotton candy. The crowd appeared mostly local, with lots of small children running in and out, dancing and eyeing the brightly lit booths loaded with arts and crafts.
It’s festival time.
At their food booth, Chris and Jean Rivere said business got off to a slow start, but was picking up as the crowd grew. And though sales were light, everyone seemed to be having a good time, they said.
"Tomorrow night (Saturday) with the parade, things should really pick up," Chris Rivere said.
Friday’s headline entertainment was Stroka Band and Exclusive Band.
The evening began with the dedication of this year’s mini-village to quelbe singer, songwriter, guitar player and bandleader Wayne "Bully" Petersen. Born and raised in Frederiksted, Petersen has been a musical mainstay of St. Croix for more than 20 years, a leading proponent of the island’s traditional quelbe music.
The streets of Christiansted will come alive Saturday with the Traditional Old Time Nighttime Parade. The parade forms in Times Square, and steps off at 8 p.m. down Kings Street, then back up Company to the mini-village. Saturday’s mini-village entertainment will be by the popular local band UMB Soldiers and the Sugar Band from St. Kitts from 8 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
Sunday’s entertainment is the Royal Vibes Band and Daddy Jones and the Crew featuring Pumpa. Again, the entertainment will run from 8 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
The theme of this year’s festival is, "See, Believe, Xperience It."
As the month progresses, the island will come alive with the annual Calypso Monarch competition, the Miss St. Croix Pageant, the festival village and carnival rides in Frederiksted, the Old Tyme Sweet & Treat Food Fair and much, much more, culminating with the festival adult parade Jan. 2 through Frederiksted.
A full schedule of events is available online at the festival’s website.