There’s a good chance you weren’t the only one who spent Friday the 13th dying something green. Organizers are expecting a robust turnout for the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade Saturday. But if you were planning on a lazy tramp through Christiansted, be warned: Fleet-footed track legend Keith Smith Sr. will be leading the way.
Smith, father of track-and-field superstar and USVI sport ambassador Michelle Smith, and beloved coach to countless other St. Croix runners, was chosen as the 2026 parade grand marshal. He’s promised to set a leisurely pace.
“Definitely going to be relaxing. No running for me,” he said Friday.
With his wife, Virgin Islands Track & Field Federation General Secretary Mireille Smith, Coach Smith hopes introducing young people to running helps them better engage with their community on and off the track.
“The one thing I always tell everybody: Everyone is always good at something. Do what you can to do something positive for your community; do what you can to make the world a better place. You may do it for various reasons, but if you are doing what you are good at, you’re making a difference.”
Smith’s positivity and activism led to honors from the Maria Rodriguez Foundation in February.
The parade steps off promptly at 11 a.m. from Fort Christiansvaern on the corner of Hospital Street and Company Street. From there, the procession tramps up Company Street to Market Street before returning down King Street.
Organizers said the idea was to create multiple viewing opportunities along one of Christiansted’s most iconic routes.
Floats and marching troops must arrive no later than 9:30 a.m., organizers said, to allow adequate staging and coordination for an on-time start.
Road closures start at 9 a.m. and conclude at 6 p.m., in most cases.
There will be no parking on Company Street from the intersection of Hospital Street and Company Street, and no parking on King Street from Time Square to the Christiansted Fort area.
There will also be no parking on Queen Cross Street from the corner of Company Street at the former Riddims to the corner of Queen Cross Street and Strand Lane (Baci) from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. During that same 12-hour period, there will be no parking allowed on Church Street from the intersection of King Street to the intersection of Company Street at Sonya’s Jewelry.
Any vehicles parked in the prohibited areas will be ticketed and towed at the owners’ expense, the Virgin Islands Police Department warned.
Additionally, westbound traffic will not be allowed from the Welcome/Bypass Intersection and Hospital Street toward Christiansted Town from 9 a.m. Only vehicles and participants of the parade will be allowed.
Police also urged motorists to not drive after consuming green rum — or intoxicants of any other sort or color.
“Impaired, distracted, or drowsy driving is no way to test your luck on the road. When it comes to road safety, smart choices beat good fortune every time,” police said in a press release driving home a buzzed-driving-is-drunk-
