Photo Focus: Holiday Traditions Meet at Emancipation Garden

Christmas morning on St. Thomas, just before dawn, brings choirs and artists to the David Monsanto Bandstand in Emancipation Garden for the annual Challenge of the Carols. This year’s event brought new energy into the area just as the caroling was ready to start.

Thursday marked the 49th showcase of choirs singing hymns and V.I. holiday favorites; solo vocalists and a musical quartet delivered songs that captured the mood of the day.

Dozens of revelers — some in pajamas and more in Santa hats — danced behind a stage mounted on a trolley, pulled by a tow truck.

“I like it, I like it; once I get started, I’m good,” said bandleader Stanley Jacobs. It was apparent that the crowd liked it too, as they broke into the Electric Slide as they entered the site.

Up on the bandstand, the organization’s president, Paul Jones, welcomed those who reached the garden on the foreday morning. “For nearly half a century, Challenge of the Carols has been heard at Virgin Islands celebrations, blending the joy of Christmas with the richness of our culture, our history, and our people,” Jones said.

With that, the caroling began with the group, Voices of Love, performing a tune in an echo-caroling style with half of the group facing the rest across the span of the bandstand.

The University of the Virgin Islands Concert Choir, the Merry Caroliers, Bethel Baptist Missionary Church Choir entertained, followed by a choir from the Church of God Prophecy and the lighthearted Party Hardie Caroliers.

Performances by featured soloists and groups were interspersed between the choirs, including Lorna Freeman Woodley, Jeannette Rhymer, Daryl Lewis, Roxanne Sciliaronne, the CAHS Class of 1968 and others.

Spectators socialized in the crowd making acquaintances new and old. Settled into a sling chair, Eric Baynes said how much he enjoyed this year’s Christmas celebration. Baynes said that for him, the musical tramp leading into the garden “gives you incentive to get up early and enjoy everything.”

For Seretta Jordan from Los Angeles, the Challenge of the Carols was a first-time experience. “I’m enjoying it,” she said, “It’s the unity, the love, it’s everything.”