The ultimate celebration of Caribbean heritage and the limitless versatility of the coconut is the eighth annual Crucian Coconut Festival hosted by the St. Croix Farmers in Action (SCFIA). The three-day extravaganza begins Friday with the “Visions of Tomorrow” Fine Arts Exhibition and continues through Saturday with “All Things Coconut” Educational and Demonstration Day, and culminating Sunday with “Coconuts and More Family Fun Day.”
SCFIA has continued the festival as a platform to share its dedication to strengthening local agriculture and empowering the community by educating the attendees about the variety of value-added products that can be made from the coconut.
The festival will kick off with the “Visions of Tomorrow” Fine Art Exhibit on Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. curated by renowned artist Lucien Downes. Works from artists across the territory and from young students in the elementary schools will be showcased and available for purchase.
Downes has been a prolific contributor, sharing his curating expertise for the past four years of the festival. He is an esteemed artist working in mixed media and he is an outstanding muralist whose work can be seen island-wide. Attendees will recognize the creativity of his own artwork and the professional and personal attention he gives to the works of the other artists.
Friday’s guests will be greeted with a complimentary coconut cocktail at the opening reception, followed by light hors d’oeuvres created by local chef Teddy. The evening will continue with the rhythms of the Eddie Russell Jazz Band.
Festival Media and Marketing Coordinator Akua Ducard shares her excitement for the official festival opening on Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. “Attendees will enjoy coconut pastry-making lessons, coconut oil pressing, woodworking demonstrations making coconut utensils by Edmund Fieulleteau, and the exciting Taste of Coconut Competition.”
Ducard invites the children to games, crafts, and a petting zoo. There are family-friendly activities, the highly anticipated Domino Challenge, and two featured presentations that will take viewers deeper into the world of coconuts, presented by the St. Croix Environmental Association and the Virgin Islands Good Food Coalition.
Music will be provided by Syndicate Sounds and performances by the Rising Stars Steel Pan Orchestra.
Soca musician Nikki Brooks will bring her high energy to the festival with over 20 years of performing. She is the first woman Calypsonian Monarch. Brooks entered the competition for the first time in 1992 and won that year. She was the first female vocalist with Quiet Fire and sings R&B, Soca, Jazz and Country.
“I decided to do Soca and Calypso because it’s storytelling. It’s fun. That’s what makes a true calypsonian – a true storyteller. When I put something out, I want to put something out that everybody can listen to. When the music is playing, you have to move your body. It makes you move.”
Brooks gave The Source a little taste of her coconut song – “Coconut, it’s sweet and full of water. You know it’s sweeter than guava. The water running; the water running. Crack open the coconut.”
“It’s a fun song. And I love fun. Anything that’s gonna bring that fun vibe, I’m for it.”
Brooks is the last performance Saturday night. She made it clear that she is not winding it down. “Close it up! Turn it up! I want you to go home on a high up and come back the next day,” she said. You have to wind up Saturday, so they can anticipate the next day. I never end on a slow. I always end on a fast so people can’t wait for the next day,” Brooks said.
Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., concludes the festival with “Coconuts and More Family Day.” The Jelly Scoop Competition, celebrated designer Andre Etienne’s debut Coconut Recyclable fashion show, Cultured Naturals Body Care full moon cloud dough-making fun, and Waldemar Brodhurst’s wire-making ornament workshop are just some of the family-fun activities.
Sunday’s highlight will be storytelling by Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach of “Chika, Chika, Boom, Boom,” which will surely delight the children and their families.
Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights will be joined by the Quadrille dancers, Kurt Schindler Quartet will play for the first time at the festival. The Guardians of Culture Moko Jumbies will perform.
Entrance to the festival:
Friday
Eventbrite: $30. Purchase at the door: $35. Couples: $60.
Saturday and Sunday Admission:
Adults: $10., Seniors: $5., Children: 5-12: $5. Under five years: free
Supporters of the event are the Virgin Islands Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.
St. Croix Farmers in Action Committee Members
For more information:
Contact: Akua Ducard
aducard@gmail.com
470-503-5483
