Jan. 2, 2007 — As the Crucian Christmas Festival kicks into high gear for the "last lap," there's still a lot of fun and excitement left for the rest of the holiday season. Festival activities will come to a climax Friday and Saturday with the Children's and Adults' parades.
Wednesday is Caribbean night, and the splendor of the King and Queen of the bands comes to life in Dora Browne FestiVille Village. You can get a preview of the best and biggest costumes that will be featured in the upcoming parades. The night begins at 8 p.m. with Big Daddy and the 411 Band, followed by the parade costume competition and the Hart-Atak Band from midnight. The late-night entertainment, beginning at 2:30 a.m., will be provided by guest artist Caribbean Traffic Jam, featuring Schwayne Winchester.
If you are a die-hard reveler, then J'ouvert is a "can't-miss" festival event. This year there will be two early morning jump-ups, both starting at 5 a.m. Thursday. The starting point in Frederiksted is at Hannah's Rest corner, ending in the festival village. In Christiansted, revelers meet at the Pueblo parking lot in Golden Rock, and the tramp winds east to the Christian "Shan" Hendricks vegetable market on Company Street, where the traditional old time breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m.
The annual Arts and Crafts Food Fair has been switched from Wednesday to Thursday, making the day one of nonstop partying. Festival organizers wanted to accommodate newly inaugurated Gov. John P. deJongh and Lt. Gov. Gregory R. Francis, who will be on St. John Wednesday making their first public appearance on that island so they can still attend the annual fair. The event begins at 11 a.m. at the Ann Heyliger Vegetable Market in Frederiksted.
On Thursday night at the Island Center for the Performing Arts, Karen "Lady Mac" MacIntosh will defend her Calypso Monarch crown against a lineup of 12 men. The show kicks off at 8 p.m., and the World Famous Xpress band will back up the performance.
Playing at the Village will be the A'we Band, from St. John, beginning at 8 p.m., followed by the Cool Sessions Band from 11 p.m. until 2 a.m. D.J Hart-A-Tack will be spinning music all night.
On Friday, it’s the youths' time to shine at the Children's Parade, which begins at the Claude O. Marko School at 10 a.m. See the queens, princes and princesses from many of the islands' schools, majorettes and much more.
Later that evening at the Dora Browne FestiVille Village, it’s Latin Night with nonstop music from Sabor Latino Band starting at 8 p.m., followed by Liquid Sounds Band at 11 p.m.
At 2 a.m., special guest performers, the Orquesta Guarachando from Puerto Rico, will take the stage with their fancy footwork and harmonious lyrics.
The festivities wrap up on Three Kings Day — Saturday, Jan. 6 — with the Adults Parade at 10 a.m. This will be your last chance to hang out and meet friends at the Village and take the children on the Coney Island rides. Music in the Village will be provided by the Hart-Atak Band beginning at 8 p.m. followed by the awesome Jam Band from St. Thomas at 11 p.m.
Festival organizers are urging groups or persons planning to take part in the Children's or Adults Parade to turn in their parade entry form. If you need a form, call the Festival office at 719-3379 and leave a message. If you already have your form, fill it out and fax it to the office at 719-3378.
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