Three cruise ships loaded with about 12,000 passengers had St. Thomas bustling on the Thursday morning before Christmas. Traffic was heavy through mid-day, so organizers of the Children’s Christmas Parade changed their route from the Omar Brown Sr. Fire Station to Havensight.
Marchers dressed as elves and reindeer, dancers in pink tee shirts, spangled cheerleaders, and a youth sports team formed a line of march through Paul M. Pearson Garden Housing Community, then onto Long Bay Road to Mandela Circle.
…with Police and Fire and Emergency Services clearing the way ahead, much to the delight of Bruce Flamon from the Governor’s Office of Gun Violence Prevention. From the driver’s seat of his pickup truck, he watched as children safely made their way from the fire station to the Virgin Islands Children’s Museum.
“I am so happy with the fourth annual Christmas parade honoring Lawrence Olive,” Flamon said. So were hundreds of tourists who paused their activities to enjoy an unexpected holiday treat.
Participating youth groups included Elite Dynasty Dancers, Ulla Muller Elementary School Cheerleaders, Dynamic Dancers, V.I. Institute of Performing Arts, Full Circle Performance Baseball Club, Partners for Strings V.I. Youth Orchestra, and the Triple H Ranch.
By the time marchers arrived at the Children’s Museum, it was snack time and time for presents given out by the Big Guy.
Everyone seemed to enjoy the day except perhaps Milo the Horse. Owner Crystal Todman steered him away from the crowds and the traffic when he seemed nervous at parade’s end and led him back to his trailer for the trip back home.
There was also a tribute for Police Detective Delberth Phipps Jr., who lost his life to gun violence earlier this year.
Flamon sent thanks to the Office of the Governor, the Office of Gun Violence Prevention, Subway Sandwich Shop, the V.I. Children’s Museum, Fire and Emergency Medical Services, VIPD, and St. Thomas Rescue for their help and support.
