The Latin spirit will fill St. Croix more than usual the next couple of weeks, with museum openings, musical performances, school presentations and a family fun day, all commemorating the territory’s many ties to its Spanish-speaking neighbor for the 48th annual Virgin Islands – Puerto Rico Friendship celebration.
Puerto Ricans have been a significant part of U.S. Virgin Islands, and especially St. Croix, society for well over a century. Some celebrations and pageants occurred at least as early as 1960, when the first VI-PR Friendship queen, Nereida Santos, was named, according to information from the VI-PR Friendship Committee.
The celebration became official in 1964 when Gov. Ralph Paiewonsky signed an act making Columbus Day into Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico Friendship Day.
Celebrations began somberly with a special Thanksgiving church service Sept. 14.
On Friday, Sunset Jazz joined the celebration with a special performance by R&B Connection on Frederiksted beach.
On Oct. 6, Whim Plantation will host La Fiesta en el Batey, a free family fun day from noon to 5 p.m. on the manicured grounds of the colonial era sugar plantation. Music, dance, performances by school children, exhibits, arts and crafts, children’s games, demonstrations, vendors and lots of Crucian and Puerto Rican food will be on hand.
On Oct. 10, the Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts in Frederiksted will host second Thursdays with Rivert & Friends.
On Oct. 11, the Puerto Rican band Plena Libre will give presentations at Pearl B. Larsen and Charles Emmanuel elementary schools. And there will be a Diego Conde “Santa Cruz Exhibit and reception at the Caribbean Museum for the Arts.
On Oct. 12, Government House will host a private ceremony honoring outstanding members of the Hispanic and Puerto Rican community on St. Croix.
On Oct. 13, the Agriculture Grounds will be filled with people and music for a grand cultural exchange, from noon until midnight.
Festivities come to a close Oct. 18 with a second special Sunset Jazz in Frederiksted, featuring Siete Son and Trio Camaleón.
