Nothing says Christmas in the Caribbean like boats decked out with Christmas lights. Saturday night, colorful lights on 22 boats lit up Christiansted Harbor in the 14th St. Croix Christmas Boat Parade.
The Christiansted boardwalk was packed from the Seaborne terminal to Fort Christiansvaern with hundreds of people. Residents had been in town early for good parking and to stake out the best spots for their folding, canvas chairs. Some others had a better view of the boats and the fireworks from balconies at King Christian and Caravelle Hotels. The second floors of Fort Christian Brew Pub and John Eddies Lowlife Bar and Refuge were crowded with partyers.
An early evening sprinkle did not stop five seaplanes from Seaborne Airlines starting off the show performing fly-overs and formations over the harbor. The parade began on schedule at 6 p.m. with the Reliance from St. Croix Ultimate Blue Water Adventures (SCUBA) leading.
There were mermaids, inflated Santas and live Santas on the boats. Members of the Crucian Brass played Christmas songs on one boat. There were icicles, candy canes, blinking snowflakes and palm trees on sailboats and motor boats. One boat had a peace sign made with lights and another had a hurricane symbol with a slash through it, depicting a season free of hurricanes. A boat was decorated for carnival with women dressed in feathers, satin, spandex and sequins dancing to calypso music, celebrating 60 years of the Crucian Christmas Festival.
Ohs and ahs were heard through out the crowd during the huge fireworks display that lasted for a half an hour.
Richel Ince, 11, said she liked the boats more than the fireworks.
“It’s beautiful with the boats full of lights,” Ince said. “We come every year. I love it.” Her grandmother
Marisol Murray said they look forward to the boat parade and can’t wait until next years’ parade.
“This is a great event and I’m having a good time,” St. Croix resident Lamar Milligan said. “This is a huge deal.”
On King Cross Street, vendors were selling food and trinkets. Rheyanna Lewis did face painting as a fundraiser for the Good Hope School class of 2013. The V.I. police were out in force and St. Croix Rescue was on hand in case there were emergencies.
Organizers of the annual parade were Martin and Nancy Oliver, Sal Sanpere and David and Nichole Johnson.
Main sponsors of the parade were the V.I. Department of Tourism, Seaborne Airlines, Diageo, Cruzan Rum, Innovative, Scotia Bank, Marshall and Sterling Insurance, the Palms at Pelican Cove, Spartan Concrete, Reliable Rental, Olympic Car Rental, David and Nichole Johnson, Taylor and Debbie Babb and many more.
Donations will go towards Junior Achievement, Boys and Girls Club, Boy Scouts and other youth organizations.
