It’s time to celebrate! The 2013 St. John Festival is in high gear already and some of the most popular events are right around the corner.
This year’s theme, “Come and Explore the Cultural Scene for Festival 2013,” is an apt invitation for everyone to come out and enjoy the food, music and entertainment on tap in Cruz Bay all month long, leading up to the big parade on Thursday, July 4.
Pan-o-Rama got the festivities underway on Saturday, June 1, in Winston Wells ball field when pan groups from across St. Thomas joined the renowned Love City Pan Dragons for an evening of electrifying music.
This past weekend saw action for both the young and young at heart. Senior citizens strutted their stuff on stage at the Winston Wells ball field on Friday, June 14, during the Senior Variety Show which honored Alice O’Conner.
St. John cyclists hit the hills on Saturday morning, June 15, for Festival Bike Race which kicked off at 8 a.m. at the V.I. National Park ball field.
On Sunday, June 16, five lovely young ladies were set to dazzle the audience during the St. John Festival Princess Show at Winston Wells ball field. Eight-year-old Shaquilla Lewis, a second-grader at Jane E. Tuitt School; nine-year-old K’Lah Jacobs, a Guy Benjamin School fourth-grader; 11-year-old GBS fifth-grader Liliana Farrell, 10-year-old Cha’de Rhymer Brumant, a fifth-grader at Ulla Muller School; and Faith Marie Sweeney a nine-year-old Ulla Muller fourth grader were sure to sing, dance and show off their impressive talents to the huge crowd. (See next week’s St. John Tradewinds for photos and a full story on the St. John Festival Princess Selection Show.)
Another huge crowd is expected to pack Winston Wells ball field on Friday night, June 21, for Festival Musical Mix. The action kicks off at 9 p.m. and the concert always features top-notch entertainment.
On Saturday, June 22, five beautiful young women will have the chance to wow the crowd in hopes of being crowned Miss St. John Festival 2013 at the St. John Festival Queen Selection Pageant, scheduled to begin at 8 p.m.
Vying for the crown this year are Charlotte Amalie High School senior Tyeefah Lynch, 18, and Ivanna Eudora Kean High senior Torey Challenger, 18, who are competing against three freshman students at the University of the Virgin Islands, Charisma Hypolite, 18, Monee Edwards, 18, and Khadijah Lee, 18.
Get those appetites ready for Sunday, June 23, when the island’s best chefs will bring out their most famous dishes for Food Fair and Coronation, starting at 1 p.m. at Frank Powell Park.
The 2013 St. John Festival Queen and St. John Festival Princess will both be crowned and 2013 Food Fair honoree Floresa Henley will be feted. The action continues that afternoon with Festival Boat races starting at 3 p.m.
Festival Village will officially open on Friday, June 28, at 7 p.m. and will named in honor of 2013 Village Honoree Steadwin Frett. The night will kick off a week of exciting music at Frett’s Ville as Cool Sessions Brass and El-A-Kru and Tizzy are set to keep the crowd on its feet all night long.
Saturday, June 29, Festival Village will feature Spectrum Band, Carimi and WCK. On Sunday, June 30, get ready to dance to Volume and Pumpa and the Unit. Poizon and Daddy Jones will take the stage on Monday, July 1, and Tuesday, July 2, will feature Xpress Band, Krosfyah, Gunji Garlin, Fay-Ann Lyons and Asylum Band.
On Wednesday, July 3, Spectrum Band, Kes the Band and Small Axe will help the crowd get pumped up for J’ouvert which will start at 4 a.m. in Cruz Bay.
The 2013 St. John Festival Parade will begin at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 4, at the VINP ballfield which will be let by this year’s Parade Marshal, James U. Boynes Sr.
Following fireworks over Cruz Bay which begin at 9 p.m., the Marsvyn David Band, Ah We Band, Cool Sessions Brass, Roy Cape featuring Benji, Denise Belfon and Patrice Roberts will wrap up the music in Frett’s Ville for St. John Festival 2013.
So don’t forget to “Come and Explore the Cultural Scene for Festival 2013,” all month long!