Dec. 30, 2005 –– Thousands of people converged on Fergusville for the opening night of the Crucian Christmas Festival village. Inside the village a huge crowd of people watched the presentation and the speeches from the dignitaries. Outside the village swarms of young people lined the streets and tramped behind the Phranchize band. Others explored the newly renovated Frederiksted waterfront, taking a stroll on the pier and taking photographs in front of the clock tower.
The countdown is on for the Crucian Christmas Festival. The village will remain open for ten days, ending on the night of the adults parade on Jan. 7. In the meantime there is lots of chicken and johnny cake to consume, drinks to imbibe in, friends to meet, dances to dance and enough partying and merriment to take you right into the New Year and beyond.
Fergusville was officially opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony. All the dignitaries were present including Lt. Gov. Vargrave Richards, Delegate Donna M. Christiansen, Miss St. Croix, Francillia Benjamin, Mr. St. Croix, Kevin Swanston, Prince Maleek Matthew, and Princess Aliya Jackson. Sens. Pedro M. Encarnacion, Juan Figueroa-Serville, Neville James and Usie Richards looked on.
The village is named in honor of Dwayne "Massik" Fergus, a native Crucian whose love of heavy equipment sparked in him while he was still a young boy. As the owner of Fergutrax Heavy Equipment, for more than 14 years, Fergus is known as a good corporate citizen disbursing donations and community services to many youth groups and especially lending a hand when needed to the Festival committee.
The committee presented Fergus and his wife, Olive, with a plaque and other gifts for their commitment to Festival.
"I want this to be a very safe and peaceful festival," Fergus said, adding that Jan. 5, the day of the traditional j'ouvert, is his 44th birthday.
The crowd was treated to performances from the Music in Motion dancers, the St. Croix Masqueraders and the St. Croix Majorettes. Providing the musical entertainment was Jam Band from St. Thomas, who thanked the crowd for inviting them to perform at the opening night. A few seconds of silence was observed in memory of former Jam Band leader Trevor Nicholas "Nick Daddy" Friday who died on Oct.4 from diabetes-related complications. Also on stage was the two-time St. Croix road March champions the Xtaushan Band.
Territorial Chief of Police, Novelle Francis watching the events had high hopes for a safe Festival. He said ten St. Thomas officers have been assigned to patrol the village, leaving the St. Croix contingent to continue regular patrols around the island. Francis noted that the security cameras were in place in the village with an officer assigned to monitor the video each night.
Check the Source frequently for all your 2005-2006 St. Croix Festival highlights.
See the complete schedule here.
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