The Virgin Islands-Puerto Rico Friendship celebration is on for its traditional four days of festivities on St. Croix, starting Friday.
This will be the 54th year of the celebration of the ties between the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. As has been the case in recent years the events will be held at D.C. Canegata Park. Last year, because the islands were still recovering from the hurricanes, the festivities were limited to one day.
“This year is special,” organizer Monsita Diaz said. “We are celebrating not being struck by a storm.”
Diaz, who has been a member of the V.I.-Puerto Rico Friendship Day Committee for more than 10 years, told the Source the goal of the event is “to keep the friendship and bond between Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands strong and congenial.” She said members of the committee hope the event brings an awareness to the young people of the islands about how meaningful that bond is.
The celebration, which will feature a parade on Sunday with more than 20 floats, seemed to be getting larger each year until last year’s storm-shortened celebration.
“It is an event for the whole community,” Diaz said. “We have people of every ethnicity and race involved.”
And, yes, there will be a walk-run race at 8 a.m. Sunday from FirstBank in Golden Rock to the Canegata ballpark. Funds raised from the sale of T-shirts at the race will go to a charity.
The village honoring the first Hispanic queen, Nereida “Taty” Santos, will open at D.C. Canegata Park on Friday and include musical performances by the Digital Band and Tito Nieves Orchestra from Puerto Rico.
From noon to 6 p.m. Saturday Family Fun Day will be held at the festival village. At 7 p.m. the band, the Violators, from St. Croix will perform along with Orquesta Reencuentro from Puerto Rico.
At 1 p.m. Sunday the parade is to begin at Basin Triangle and go to Canegata Park. The parade grand marshal will be Kendall “KC” Henry.
On Monday the celebration will move Christiansted boardwalk, where Stanley and the 10 Sleepless Knights will perform.
The Friendship Committee had several events leading up to the weekend. On Sept. 15 Rosa Leea Clark, a 17-year old, Complex High School student was crowned VIPR Friendship queen.
On Sept. 27 a Gospel Night was held at Sunny Isle Amphitheater.
On Tuesday at the Governor’s Reception, Vivian Furet and retired General Renaldo Rivera, are to be honored for their many contributions to this community.
“We, the VI/PR Friendship Committee give it our all. It takes long hours of planning,” Diaz said.
