A beloved Crucian tradition, the 2024 Christmas Foreday Serenade kicked off early Monday and Tuesday mornings across St. Croix, spreading holiday cheer across the island. The Ten Sleepless Knights, with their signature quelbe beat, could be heard waking up residents with the sounds of the season.
As the band, towed by an F-150 pickup truck, made its way through the neighborhoods, sleepy residents jumped out of bed to catch a glimpse of the procession, some even joining in on the fun and following the band as they serenaded the streets.
The festivities began just after 12:30 a.m. when the band hit the road, beginning their East route from Ginger Thomas, moving through Strawberry, Peters Rest, Anna’s Hope, Orange Grove, Golden Rock, Harbor View, Princess, Estate St. John, Eliza’s Retreat, and ending with a stop at WTJX’s office in Christiansted. The West route began at Ginger Thomas as well, winding through Bonne Esperance, Mon Bijou, Colquohoun, Grove, Whim, and Concordia, with the final tramp from Kings Street to Aquaholic Beach Bar.
Special family stops included Estate St. John (Schjang family), Eliza’s Retreat (Hendricks family), Ginger Thomas (Christian family), Bonne Esperance (Leonard family), and Grove (Williams family). These moments of joy brought families and neighbors together in the true spirit of the season.
Tuesday night at the Bonne Esperance stop, revelers enjoyed delicious treats like salmon balls, banana fritters, johnny cake, chicken wings, and bush tea while dancing to the festive tunes. After a brief break, the ambassadors were back on the road, heading to the next neighborhood to continue the celebration.
The Ten Sleepless Knights’ Facebook page provided updates on where their next stop would be as they traveled along.
“Some say that the Christmas feeling isn’t there; Others say they’re just not in the mood but we say tain Christmas til the Ten Sleepless Knights serenade … We salute you our visitors, friends, family and loved ones who came out and danced the foreday away, sang, ate, drink and hugged those whom they have not seen for some time not,” said the Ten Sleepless Knights Facebook page.
On Tuesday, Daddy Jones even jumped in on the serenade at the Aquaholic Beach Bar, closing the serenade for 2024.
