TW_07.06.09_Edition.pdf - St. John Tradewinds News

12 St. John Tradewinds, July 6-12, 2009
St. John Tradewinds News Photo by Justin Doran
A spider-lady dressed in black and yellow web costume.
St. John Tradewinds News Photo by Justin Doran
A member of the Westin Resort St. John troupe.
Tradewinds News Photo by Tom Oat
Hoopster Gina Wellner
Tradewinds News Photo by Tom Oat
Middle Age muscle man.
Fourth of July Parade Brings People Together
Continued from Page 3
rade marshal Shuler Brown, followed
by Festival royalty, including
Miss St. John Lea Scott and St.
John Princess Daniela Joseph.
“I’m excited for a lot of cultural
action,” said Scott. “St. John is always
very cultural when it comes
to the costumes.”
Also making appearances were
the AARP’s St. John Chapter
and the Love City Leapers, who
wowed the crowd with their jump
rope performances.
This year’s parade saw more
than 40 entries from all three Virgin
Islands, and even one from the
states – Paula’s School of Baton
from Winchester, Tennessee.
“Some of the costumes were the
best I’d ever seen,” said Senator at
Large Craig Barshinger. “I’m impressed
at how many new groups
are doing it, just for the joy of being
in the parade.”
The Middle Age Majorettes
paraded down Cruz Bay streets in
Tradewinds News Photo by Justin Doran
Mr. American
Tradewinds News Photo by Justin Doran
Majorette troupe members.
their traditional t-shirts, decorated
this year with rainbow tie-dyed
bathing suits for their theme, “Do
Wah Ditty in Love City.”
Chester “Mighty Groover” Brady
made a colorful appearance as a
one-man entry. Brady pushed a cart
decorated with bright fruit plates,
adorned with a sign reading, “A
Cultural Day in Dey Canefield. A
Tribute to Cane Cutters.”
Gifft Hill School teachers and
students alike paid tribute to Michael
Jackson, who died recently,
as they boogied down the street to
the sounds of his music.
The crowd of hundreds was
kept hydrated as the parade slowly
wound through Cruz Bay thanks to
Starfish Market, which provided
free water, and St. John Brewers,
which handed out samples of their
beers.
The Westin Resort’s massive
troupe masqueraded as spiders of
all different colors in “A Tribute to
Anansi.”
Tradewinds News Photo by Tom Oat
Miss St. Croix
Tradewinds News Photo by Tom Oat
Fireworks light up the sky.
The festivities culminated later
that evening, as residents and visitors
crowded Cruz Bay Beach and
the Battery to watch a lively fireworks
display, launched from a
barge anchored in Cruz Bay harbor.
“The parade was great and very
lively,” said Cecile deJongh. “I
loved Cool Sessions’ troupe. It’s
nice to see family and friends, and
everybody’s in a great mood.”
Governor John deJongh mingled
with party-goers at the Battery,
where guests enjoyed an open
bar and appetizers, and the perfect
spot for viewing the fireworks – the
Battery’s grassy lawn.
“I thought the parade had great
variety, and I especially enjoy
watching the young kids,” said the
governor. “What makes this parade
special is that people come from all
the islands and the U.S. It’s just a
great opportunity to be with people,
and it’s an important part of
our culture and history.”