Dec. 2, 2004 – Coral Bay, St. John, celebrates Christmas on Dec. 6 with its annual tree-lighting ceremony. It begins at 7 p.m. at the basketball court behind Guy Benjamin School.
"This is a Coral Bay tradition began in the early 1960s," Coral Bay Community Council vice-president Alvis Christian said.
He said the first celebrations were organized by Eudora and Arned Marsh, Emmanuel "Kiddo" Matthias, Herman Prince, Earlene and George January and Lucy Smith Prince. The Januarys and Smith Prince are still alive. Christian he said they've been invited to the event.
There will be three trees – a traditional inkberry, a century plant and a pine tree. Please bring ornaments to decorate the trees. Christian said the inkberry tree is traditional, but the century plant gained in popularity about 30 years ago. The pine tree took root with the arrival of mainland transplants.
The program includes caroling by various Coral Bay area groups. To be included on the written program, contact the Coral Bay Community Council.
The caroling will be followed by a potluck supper.
Bring a dish to share that reflects your holiday traditions and background. If you drop off information on your dish to the Community Council office in the Ford building before the event, the organization will write up the information to place with the dish.
Small presents – toys or books – for children are welcome. Wrap and label them for a boy or a girl. Include the suitable age on the label.
The Community Council will also sell its fund-raising items at the Christmas tree lighting. They include T-shirts and notecards featuring an 1843 sketch by Henry Morton.
"It's not greatly changed today. You can still see the customs house on Usher Cay, the harbor, and, of course, the open field we now call the ballfield," Community Council president Sharon Coldren said.
The sketch was located in the St. Croix Landmarks Society archives.
The Community Council and the John's Folly Learning Institute are organizing the event. For more information, call the Community Council at 776-2099 or the John's Folly Learning Institute at 714-7134.