The food was the star Sunday as several hundred people gathered in Cruz Bay Park to enjoy the July 4th Celebration’s annual Food Fair.

This year, the St. John Festival and Cultural Organization picked long-time Food Fair participant Cleamena Hodge-Duncan to honor.

"My mother taught me many recipes and how to have a booth," Hodge-Duncan said, with her mother, Mildred Hodge, at her side.

Hodge-Duncan reflected on her youthful days working with her family at Food Fair. Her job was to fan the fire and turn the chicken. And she spoke about the fun that came from meeting people from around the world who found their way to St. John for the fair.

She and others urged those attending the fair to stop by the various booths for a plate of good food.

"Nowhere in the Virgin Islands is there Food Fair like St. John," Hodge-Duncan said.

Lt. Gov. Gregory Francis took it a step further, telling people attending the opening ceremony that it wasn’t a day to be on a diet.

"And share with some others who cannot afford a plate of food today," he said.

Ecelme Sprauve of St. John was busy selling babyback ribs, conch soup, seafood kallaloo and local drinks such as passion fruit, tamarind, sorrel and lemonade in the tropical heat.

"It is hot," she said, "but I’m having fun."

St. John resident Karen Samuel had "strictly tropical fruits" at her table. Gooseberry preserves vied for space with gooseberry sauce, stewed cashew fruit, tamarind stew, tamarind cake, mango chutney and much more.

"It’s all made from local fruit," she said.

Jerome Davis came over from St. Croix to set up his table with local foods and various alcoholic beverages.

"Mango wine, guavaberry and sex-on-the-beach-wine," he said, declining to give the secret ingredients in the latter.

In addition to the food, local artists and craftspeople set up shop. St. John resident Ital Anthony was busy selling crafts made from materials gathered from around the island. A regular at Food Fair and other cultural events, he offered for sale calabash purses, coconut bird feeders and jewelry made from the seeds of various plants.

Coreen Samuel promoted a summer children’s reading program on St. John.

"Make a donation and get a T-shirt," she said. "It’s the perfect place to do a fundraiser."

The Food Fair opening also saw the crowning of Miss St. John, St. Thomas resident Lea Scott. Additionally, Princess Daniela Joseph and Prince Davon Jackson Alfred received their crowns.

Residents from other islands, as well as more distant locations, joined with those from St. John to shop for crafts and enjoy the food.

"The chicken roti is very good," said Tim McKeithan, a resident of Duck, N.C.

A summer volunteer at Maho Bay Camps, he was strolling with St. John resident Bonnie Burkholder, who was enjoying a pumpkin johnny cake.

Dana Heuschkel of St. John was on her third glass of passionfruit juice.

"The food here is phenomenal," she said.

St. Thomas resident Pauline Alexander had a plate filled with spare ribs, potato salad, macaroni and cheese, and coleslaw.

"It’s very good," she said.