Several Options To Ring in the New Year Available

Let’s face it, wouldn’t Father Time find it more appealing to retire in the sunny Caribbean than to be shoved out of a freezing Times Square? There’s more than one way to ring in the New Year, island-style, as the following party preview reveals.

Banana Deck, Cruz Bay
It’s “Out With the Old, In With the New”—with a bird’s-eye view of Cruz Bay to boot—at the multilevel Banana Deck. DJs Tony T, of 105 Jamz, and LSI (Liston) will rock the house, starting at 10 p.m. Admission is $10, which includes free champagne, and proper attire is required. Special ferry service to Red Hook has been arranged after the party winds down, which may not be until around 2:30 a.m.

Pastory Gardens, Estate Pastory
Pastory Gardens’ masquerade party—masks will be provided for those who don’t wear their own—promises to “celebrate in six time zones.” Hourly champagne toasts will mark the end of 2005 across the globe, starting with London and ending with St. John and New York. Giveaways begin at 8 p.m., and a DJ will provide revelers reasons to dance. There is no admission charge, and the festivities could slip into low gear around 1 a.m.—unless there’s a great demand to celebrate with Los Angeles.

Skinny Legs, Coral Bay
The New Year’s Eve celebration at this popular Coral Bay establishment has picked up steam in the past few years. The restaurant and bar has been averaging about 240 revelers, after very humble beginnings. The 14th annual celebration will swing from 9 p.m. to about 1 a.m. Filet mignon and shrimp will be served in addition to Skinny Legs’ standard fare. Entertainment will be provided by Old Cold Taters, and complimentary champagne will be popped before midnight. There is no charge for admission.

Foxy’s, Jost Van Dyke, British Vrigin Islands
No party roundup would be complete without mentioning the Big Daddy of local celebrations.

Many St. John residents flock to the Foxy’s complex on Great Harbour, which has drawn 400 to 500 people in the past. The festivities will begin around 6 or 7 p.m., and won’t end until about 2 or 3 a.m. There will be plenty of food, as usual, and reggae artist Tanya Stevens will be the featured entertainer.Local bands will also take the stage. Admission is $20.

Ferry Schedules Expanded
Inter-Island ferry service will be expanded with Cruz Bay departures at 4:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. The return trip from Jost Van Dyke is scheduled for 1:30 a.m.

Smith’s Ferry Services will depart from Red Hook only, at 7 p.m. Its scheduled return trip, however, will stop at Cruz Bay, and will leave Jost Van Dyke at 2:30 a.m.

St. John partiers should keep in mind that they may be subject to random searches by B.V.I. authorities.