April 26, 2004 – April 26, 2004 – An eager crowd of a few hundred fell into a respectful silence when Trevor "TJ" Joseph stepped onto a lavishly decorated stage in the Fort Christian parking lot just after 6 p.m. Monday.
Already there were a queen, a prince, a princess, a governor and other dignitaries. But it was Joseph, as master of ceremonies, who gave the signal to Ira "Dr. Sax" Meyers, whose solo performance of the national anthem on saxophone heralded the opening of the 2004 V.I. Carnival Village.
This year's Village is called "Freddie's Calypso Kingdom" in honor of Alfred H. Lockhart Sr. Of the many who spoke during the ceremony, few failed to share a remembrance of Lockhart's place in Carnival history.
Gov. Charles W. Turnbull reflected fondly on the days when he was a young student and Lockhart was his teacher. The governor also recalled the 1950s, "when Carnival was still just coming together. Freddie was instrumental in raising support for celebrating our history and our culture."
Lt. Gov. Vargrave Richards said Lockhart"left an indelible mark on Carnival and on this community." He said he could not think of another individual more deserving of having the Village bear his or her name.
Lockhart's daughter Alaine Lockhart-Mollah represented her father at the ceremony, explaining that he could not attend because of recent complications from a long struggle with arthritis. After introducing her father, proudly calling him "my daddy" several times, Lockhart-Mollah read from a speech he had prepared.
She read: "I had a dream. I had a vision. I wanted to see that our community experienced one of the biggest displays of pageantry and celebration."
Sen. Almando "Rocky" Liburd said Lockhart was "part of a dynasty – part of a carnival family" and credited him, as did others, with beginning the Children's Village.
Kenneth L. Blake, V.I. Carnival Committee chair, presented Lockhart's daughter and wife with a plaque commemorating Freddie's place in Carnival history.
"Blakie" himself was remembered by others during the ceremony for having been the first "outsider" to win a calypso contest in Trinidad many years ago.
Lockhart's absence was not the only somber aspect of the ceremony. First Blake, and later Turnbull, called on the crowd to observe a moment of silence in honor of Officer Cuthbert Chapman. The St. Croix policeman, shot during a robbery attempt on St. Croix earlier this month, died on Monday in the hospital. (See the St. Croix Source report "Officer shot at Wendy's dies in Puerto Rico".)
After the silence, Turnbull said that carnival is a time to remember the difficulties of the year and to celebrate the successes.
Carnival Queen Charlene Kilpatrick urged all present to party safely and drive responsibly. And then the Fort Christian parking lot began to buzz.
Carnival Princess Nysha Lindo and Prince Hosea Ottley, both students at Leonard Dober Elementary School, welcomed the party-goers on a "Journey through a Cultural Door in Carnival 2004." They got more than a few chuckles by punctuating their speech with a hearty "It's Carnival, baby!"
At the ceremony's close, as the St. Thomas All Stars steelband started to pound out a tune, many who had gathered around the stage began to make their way toward the dozens of Village food booths. Enticing scents of conch and rice, stewed goat and lobster-tail blended with the warm, salty air and the soothing steelpan sounds. The Village was officially open.
The youngsters, of course, made noisy bee-lines toward Children's Village, where their Carnival dreams awaited: rides, rides, sugary foods and drinks, and more rides.
Micah Callwood and Kai Bartlett, 10-year-old students at Montessori School, explained excitedly that the rides and the parades are their favorite things about Carnival. Then they headed off toward the Tilt-a-Whirl.
A band of mischievous boys who would identify themselves only as Matt, Tyler, Richard, Nick and Makenzie announced their plans to ambush the unsuspecting with "fart-bombs." When pressed for details, each displayed a commercially wrapped packet that looked like it might contain a small candy bar. However, they eagerly assured a questioner, the contents were not candy. The questioner did not choose to hang out with them for a demonstration.
Among the adults, there was agreement that Carnival is a time to reunite with friends and family.
The Carnival Committee's executive director, Caswil Callender, had no problem proclaiming his belief that V.I. Carnival "is the best in the Caribbean." He added that the size and the beauty of the island might have something to do with it. "This is a small place where many people know each other," he said. "Year after year, people who've moved away return at Carnival."
Billye Mayo, the Virgin Islander who is the reigning national Ms. American Classic, said that later this week her two daughters and two granddaughters will be arriving in the territory to celebrate Carnival with her.
Sen. Carlton Dowe said he looks forward to seeing his sister and friends from school days.
Visitors were caught up in the Carnival spirit, too.
Kean and Joan Dubble are visiting their daughter, Heather, who recently moved to St. Thomas to work in the radiology department at Roy L. Schneider Hospital. The two are from Lancaster County, Pa., and said they are delighted not just with the island but with the opportunity to experience Carnival.
Kean Dubble said there are carnivals in Pennsylvania, "but we don't have anything like these steel-drum bands there. I love that sound."
"It's been beautiful, wonderful," his wife added. "The beaches; the local food. We don't want to go home."
David Knox arrived in the territory from Australia mere hours before the Village opened but had found his way to the festivities.
Knox had never seen a steelband before, either. But "the All Stars" was the first thing he mentioned when asked what he thought of the Village. He added that he can't wait for the weekend, "when things really start to get busy."
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