On Saturday, the fourth annual Tunes and Tacos Throwdown fundraiser brought the St. Thomas community together at Magens Bay to support Nana Baby Children’s Home.
The event, which featured 22 taco booths and 10 local vendors, was the largest throwdown yet. Live music was provided by several local acts, including the DubLab Reggae Band and the St. Thomas All Stars Steel Orchestra.
Volunteer Terry Seabrook praised the event’s mission and the dedication of Nana Baby Children’s Home leaders. “This is my third year volunteering,” Seabrook said. “I’m a retired person from the mainland, but I make sure I’m here to help because it means so much. You’ve got kids that don’t have a place to sleep, and they take them in no matter the time of day or night. They really make a difference.”
Several local organizations joined the effort to support Nana Baby Children’s Home, ranging from health and wellness providers to longtime community fixtures and independent artists.
The Virgin Islands Children’s Museum was among the supporters, with CEO Amber McCammon and Education and Outreach Coordinator Zenaide Rogers volunteering to run a booth with games and activities for children.
“We’re a nonprofit ourselves, and we just want to support other nonprofits in the territory that are doing good work,” McCammon said.
As the museum expands its outreach, including a “Teen Time” program planned for December, Rogers said the organization “supports any cause that involves children. Nana Baby Home has been doing great community service for so many years. It’s wonderful that they’re getting recognized, and we want to continue to help with their mission.” McCammon added that “it’s so important that local children and families have a safe place to go in times of trouble.”
Wellness professionals were also on hand to highlight local services. Dr. Keisha Hamilton of the Chiropractic Health Center said, “It’s always a great event. We love the cause. The tacos are amazing, so it’s a win-win.”
Dr. Angelina J. Prince, a licensed clinical psychologist with Insight Psychological Services, emphasized the importance of mental health care in the community. “We look at any agency that’s providing critical care services to children, especially in our community, especially the underserved,” Prince said. She added her support for the event. “You’ve got amazing food. You’ve got the entire community coming together for a worthwhile cause. It’s a great way for us to unite and support each other.”
Antilles School alumni and staff joined the fundraiser to celebrate the school’s 75th anniversary and highlight its commitment to community service. “We just want to make community outreach one of the pillars of our 75th year,” said Amy Gurlea, alumni campaign chair and former faculty member.
Hugh Arnold, administrator of admission and advancement, added, “Today, it’s all about supporting Nana Baby and having fun.” Gurlea described Nana Baby Home as “an amazing cause … They create a family and community for kids.”
At the fundraiser, local food vendors and chefs brought creativity and community spirit to the competition. A representative from An Hour Late said, “We’ve been supporting since day one,” noting that this year they were competing in the dessert taco category with cannoli tacos. “Last year, we made ice cream tacos. It was a lot of fun.”
Chef Pepe, representing St. Thomas Restaurant Group, made his debut in the competition. “It’s my first time competing, it’s really nice,” he said.
Chef Ashley, representing his team, emphasized the event’s mission. “Everyone needs to support Nana Baby,” he said. “I love the competition and can’t wait for next year.”
Tricia Homer, host for the event, praised the fundraiser and its organizers. “I don’t know of any other organization that does what they do here on the island,” she said. “I saw the way the community comes out and supports them. That inspired me to reach out.”
After the judges cast their votes, the results were: In the Taco Competition, the Vegetarian Taco category was won by Sun & Sea Bar and Grill, followed by Dive Bar in second place and Chef Ashley in third. Sun & Sea Bar and Grill also claimed first place in the Meat Taco category, with Caribbean Fish Market in second and Movin’ Too Spicy in third. Alphonso Betty won the Fish Taco category, followed by Agave Red Hook in second and VI Pizza Pop Up in third. In the Dessert Taco category, An Hour Late earned first place, VI Pizza Pop Up was second, and Agave Havensight placed third.
In the Margarita Competition, La Marina Bar & Restaurant’s Sauvignon Blanc Margarita took first place, followed by Tillet Garden Productions’ Watermelon Margarita in second and Agave Red Hook in third. The People’s Choice Awards went to Rock City Tacos for tacos and La Marina Bar & Restaurant’s Sauvignon Blanc Margarita for margaritas.
Darian Torrice-Hairston, executive director of Nana Baby Children’s Home and organizer of the event, called this year’s fundraiser “super successful,” noting it was the largest yet, with 22 taco booths and 10 local vendors. “If you’re doing a good thing, it grows,” she said, crediting sponsors and competitors for making the expanded event possible.
Funds raised this year will support the creation of a teen program at Nana Baby Children’s Home. “We see a more pressing need for the teenage population,” Torrice-Hairston said, noting there are no homes for teenagers on St. Thomas. She added that the fundraiser “is basically going to help us become two organizations, so we can support kids of all ages, in all of their different walks of life.”
She expressed gratitude to the community for all the support and expressed optimism that next year’s Tunes and Tacos Throwdown will be even bigger.
