La Fiesta Del Batey, a family fun day filled with music, dancing and games for everyone, will take place at historic Whim Plantation on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public.
The VI-Puerto Rico Friendship Committee is hosting the fun day as part of its annual two-week celebration in honor of the territories’ shared cultures. This year’s theme is "Two Flags, Two Cultures, Friendship Forever."
Mirza Saldana, chairwoman of the event, said there will be something for everyone, from dancing and dining to art demonstrations.
Dancing around the yard of the plantation will be the "Dr. Chen" Bambula Dancers, Dancing Stars, and Masqueraders from Pearl B. Larsen. A Maypole Dance with intertwined ribbons will be performed, and the Heritage Dancers will do the quadrille.
The Evelyn Williams School dance group and choir will also entertain folks. A fast-paced Latin American Zumba dance/exercise demonstration will take place, too.
St. Croix Educational Complex Ambassadors Quelbe Band will provide musical entertainment, and DJ Bracehe will be cranking out tunes.
Four local food vendors will be selling roast pig, souse, red pea soup, kallaloo, Vienna cake and more. Fresh local fruit drinks will also be available for purchase.
Bien Brignoni, master woodworker, will be giving demonstrations in handcrafted mahogany. There will be 15 other artisans selling jewelry, paintings and such with some doing demonstrations.
A genealogy workshop on researching family roots will be held in the Whim library.
Saldana added there will be old-fashioned fun and games like jacks, jump rope, tug of war, dominoes and story telling.
“We have a kids arts and crafts tent that is always a hit,” Saldana said, adding that door prizes will also be given out.
“Everybody is welcome to join us for family fun,” Saldana said. “And share and make special moments and memories with us.”
