Christiansted’s Holiday Jump Up has been rescheduled from Friday, Nov. 26 to Friday, Dec. 10, from 6 to 10 p.m.
Each year for the last six years, the Christiansted Restaurant and Retail Association has presented three Jump Up events in November, February, and April. In 1998, Priscilla Lynn, owner of PrisCo Public Relations, Marketing, & Advertising was appointed to direct the events.
According to Kelly Williams, CRRA president and owner of Christiansted restaurant Tutu Bene, the association was looking for a way to recreate the success of the three annual Jump Up events to spur business during the slower summer months.
"We were able, with Priscilla's guidance, to launch a fourth event last year, dubbed ‘The Yellow Book Summertime Jump Up’ after the exclusive corporate sponsor for this newest in the series, The Yellow Book, published by Axesa U.S. Virgin Islands. The event was so successful that the Association decided to keep it as a permanent event in our annual Jump Up event season."
The Holiday Jump Up event on Dec. 10 will run from 6 to 10 p.m. There are parking restrictions and the VIPD barricades will be in place by 6 p.m. Vitran will run expanded shuttle service throughout the island. Parking is limited, so carpooling and taking advantage of the Vitran shuttle service is strongly advised.
Lynn said visitors would dance in the streets to live bands performing throughout the historic district of Christiansted, mostly comprised of youth bands from local schools. Wilard John's very colorful Guardian's of Culture mocko jumbie troupe will perform from 7 to 9 p.m. throughout the town. Thousands of island residents and visitors attend every Jump Up event, said Lynn.
As was initiated in the last event, community organizations are invited to apply for participation with a street booth at the Holiday Jump Up. New as of this event, businesses in categories that do not compete with any of the CRRA member businesses are also invited to apply for a street vendor space. The Red Cross, FEMA, and other disaster outreach agencies will also be invited to attend.
New this year will be an event opening ribbon cutting ceremony by Governor Charles Turnbull. After the governor cuts the ribbon, various island agencies will be honored with special Certificates of Merit.
Also new at this year's event, Lynn said, will be a "Lighting of Christiansted and Holiday Decorations Contest". Participating stores will decorate their storefronts and visitors are invited to place their vote for their favorite decorated store at the "Santa Center" set up in the garden at the Hotel Caravelle next to the VIP Lounge housed in the PrisCo office.
The most favored store will be publicly announced in the media the week following the Holiday Jump Up and will win a marketing services package from. Voters will also be entered into a drawing for various gifts donated by participating businesses. Both real and wannabe kids can have their photos taken with the CRRA Caribbean Claus at the Santa Center.
This year the CRRA is asking those who have enjoyed the Jump Up events throughout the year to "Donate Five and Keep Jump Up Alive." Donation boxes will be set up throughout the Christiansted businesses. While $5 from each donor would be greatly appreciated, all donations are gratefully accepted and appreciated, Lynn said. Sponsors to date are Sunterra Carambola Resort, Cellular One, Premiere Wine & Spirits, Antilles Automotive, Scotia Bank, and Paradise Gym. As of Nov. 21, there are still a few sponsorship spots available. All inquiries and vendor registration information call the CRRA Holiday Jump Up Director Priscilla Lynn of PrisCo Marketing at 713-8012 or 690-7747.