After the requisite speeches by St. John Festival officials, honorees and dignitaries, the 2008 festival was officially opened with a ceremonial ribbon cutting — although the partying had already begun.
The paint was still drying on some of the booths surrounding the stage in the U.S. Customs parking lot, but residents and visitors were waiting in line for their favorite local dishes and drinks.
Village honoree Ms. Irene Scatliffe, Food and Craft Fair honoree Yolonda Morton, Miss St. John Razzilee Oquendo and Princess Ja’Leah Stephens received accolades and gifts before Gov. deJongh regaled the crowd with his festival enthusiasm and encouraged residents and visitors to enjoy the festivities.
The crowd warmed up to the intense steel pan interludes by the Love City Pan Dragons and by the time the ribbon cutting ceremony was completed they quickly let loose to the sounds of Wrection Band, followed by St. John favorite Cool Sessions Brass and Jam Tyme.
