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

By Jaime Elliott
St. John Tradewinds
The sounds of steel pan filling
the air, aromas of pates and
chicken legs frying, brightly painted
booths and people of all ages
mingling in the Cruz Bay Customs
parking lot could mean only one
thing — Festival time on St. John.
Residents, visitors and family
members home for the annual St.
John Fourth of July Festival celebration
converged in the heart of
Cruz Bay on Monday, June 29, for
Festival Village opening ceremonies
honoring James Penn.
As chairperson of the Festival
and Cultural Organization of St.
John for almost 20 years, Penn
literally turned the island’s small
event into the almost month-long
celebration it is today.
“When I took over the St. John
festival it was nothing,” said Penn.
“We didn’t even have chairs — we
had to go to St. Thomas and rent
them. I bought 1,000 chairs to use
so we wouldn’t have to do that
anymore.”
“All you see now, we put it together,”
Penn said. “I got the radio
to come over here every day and
cover our events. I said, ‘James
Penn will pay for it.’”
While not shocked that he was
honored by the Festival Organization,
the distinction was welcome,
Penn explained.
“I feel good,” he said. “I put in
a lot of hard work to get this thing
going. This honor has been a long
time coming.”
After Sonia Sprauve sang mov-
ing renditions of both the National
Anthem and the Virgin Islands
March, the Love City Pan Dragons
Youth Steel Orchestra entertained
the crowd with several musical se-
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St. John Tradewinds, July 6-12, 2009 5
Pennville Honors Long-time Festival Leader James Penn
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St. John Tradewinds News Photo by Justin Doran
(L to R) St. John Royalty Princess Daniela Joseph, Queen Lea Scott, Prince Davon
Alfred and Village Honoree James Penn cut the ribbon officially opening Pennville.
“I feel good. I put in
a lot of hard work to
get this thing going.
This honor has been a
long time coming.”
– James Penn
2009 Festival Village Honoree
lections.
Presenting their father with a
plaque depicting pictures of the
honoree through the years, Penn’s
two daughters spoke about how
important it is to remember community
members who make a difference.
“Thanks for giving me my flowers
while I’m alive,” said Penn,
thanking his family and the Festival
Organization. “Everything I do
for St. John is not for me — it’s for
the people and the community. We
all get together and make St. John
a wonderful place.”
Senator at Large Craig
Barshinger wished the crowd a
happy and safe Festival 2009.
“It’s a pleasure to kick back and
Continued on Page 16
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