Pull out those fancy dresses and dust off those high heels, the 17th Annual All Island Holiday Party is set for Saturday, December 15, at Mongoose Junction starting at 8:30 p.m.
Entertainment will be provided by Ah We Band, which will perform in the center courtyard.
The event is sponsored by the Mongoose Merchants Association, Sun Dog Cafe, La Plancha del Mar and Tap Room.
Attendees will enjoy free appetizers from Sun Dog Cafe, which will also be providing full bar service at several locations, including a wine bar on the first floor of the shopping complex.
Ring in the holiday season in style with oysters and champagne with La Plancha del Mar and sample The Tap Room brews outside St. John Brewer’s new retail store Brewtique near Fabric Mill.
Now a much-anticipated tradition, the event was first created after the devastation of Hurricane Marilyn in 1995 inspired island residents to create some holiday cheer, explained Sun Dog Cafe owner Michael Barry.
“The party has its roots in 1995, when the economic downturn caused by Hurricane Marilyn caused residents to band together at the holiday season to try to find some holiday cheer,” said Barry. “As the years have passed, the party has had involvement from Caneel Bay Resort, The Westin Resort and Villas and the restaurant community on St. John.”
“Each successive year, the event becomes a more important holiday gathering that attracts St. John residents of all stripes,” he said.
Even government top brass have been spotted at what has come to be called the Island Prom.
“Last year, Governor deJongh attended to the delight of many,” said Barry.
The timing of the event is carefully planned to attract local residents, Barry added.
“It’s hosted just early enough before many guests arrive for the Christmas Holiday, to help ensure that the entire St. John population has the opportunity to attend,” he said.
And with most of the population usually sporting flip-flops and shorts, the party is the perfect excuse to pull out those fancy duds one time a year.
“It’s called ‘the prom’ by some, because it’s a rare display of ‘island fancy’ and holiday attire, with many attending taking special pride in how they look,” said Barry.
But the event is only for adults, he added.
“Children under the age of 18 are not permitted to attend, sorry,” Barry said.
V.I. National Park Maintenance area will offer additional parking for the event as well.
