Children and those visiting downtown Christiansted around Government House Saturday couldn’t help but get into the Christmas spirit.
With music playing, traditional foods being sold along Queen Cross Street and arts and crafts vendors hawking their wares inside the Government House courtyard, the holiday sprit filled the air, especially in the afternoon when the sixth annual Governor’s Children’s Christmas Party began.
“I like this event here. It brings the spirit out of you,” said smoothie vendor Hazel St. Ange, decked out in red and green clothing. “When you come out to this celebration here it’s really nice,” she said. “You can feel the Christmas, and see it, and eat it.”
Her “local fruits only” smoothie proceeds were going towards feed and upkeep at the St. Croix mini zoo.
Jean and Chris Riviere of Sweet Delights operated a few booths down from St. Ange and had come out for the third straight year. Seated behind their jars of gooseberry stew and coconut fudge and next to their gallons of sorrel juice and ginger beer, they said the Christmas celebration around Government House was about people coming together to try the different foods and have a good time.
“It’s being like one family,” Chris Riviere said.
In Government House’s courtyard, local artisans showcased some of the territory’s culture through their work, hoping that some of those works would become Christmas presents.
Earrings, necklaces, key chains and Christmas tree ornaments highlighted by Moko Jumbies were quite popular.
“I’m using my art and creativity to keep the culture alive,” said Sandra Michael, who hand-makes Moko Jumbie Christmas ornaments and was selling them for $10 each. “Somehow I just keep making them over and over because people love them. Somehow they turn out to be not just cultural art, but souvenirs from the Virgin Islands.”
“It’s a lovely time of year where you can show off your culture and share it with others,” she added.
When 2:30 p.m. arrived, children and their parents started filing into the courtyard for the governor’s sixth annual children’s Christmas party. Kids were treated to face painting, sweets, arts and crafts, and if they desired, a visit with Santa Clause to receive gifts, which included a backpack and a book entitled, “I Am the Virgin Islands,” written by Tiphanie Yanique, with images by Moses Djeli.
Illustrator Djeli, who is married to the book’s author, Yanique, was on hand, beaming with excitement and pride as he signed copies for both young and old.
“It’s an amazing experience to know that the book has captured a community that hasn’t really been seen,” Djeli said, “There is so much in the book to learn about preserving culture, preserving tradition and preserving the heritage of our people here.”
Asked what his home islands were to him, Djeli replied, “I think it’s paradise. I know that’s cliché but I think it literally is one of those few remaining places on Earth where you still find community and family and love and all those things preserved. It’s untampered. It’s like unfiltered water.”
And not a bad place to spend Christmas, either.
