Highlights of the Season – Part 1

Here on St. Croix, the middle of April marks the end of the tourist high season.  It means that hotel rates drop and there is a slowing down of events, most of which are scheduled into this period between mid-December and mid-April, when the island swells in population with tourists and snowbirds. 

For those of us who live here, high season means a plethora of special activities to lure us out of the house.  There are plays, touring bands, annual exhibitions, fundraisers, galas, a carnival and plenty of parades.  Having the luxury to pick and choose from so many activities is one of the things that I love about St. Croix.  This past season I mostly chose to stay home, but somehow I still managed to enjoy quite of bit of island spirit.  Here are some of the highlights.  You can click on any photo to enlarge.

The Boat Parade

Seaborne Planes flying in formation before the parade. Note the pontoons on the first two planes.

 This boat had its own live band on board.

  This boat celebrated 60 years of Christmas Carnival on St. Croix.

Seastock

A fundraiser for the St. Croix Environmental Association (SEA)

 Two of the costume contest winners: a hippie and a protester.

She won a painting of Jimmy Hendrix rocking on a sea shell.

 Reliving the old hippy days.

The Dog Parade

 Hollywood was the theme, here are the Ziegfeld Follies:

 My Fave: Hitchkock and the Birds! (note the cigar on his armchair)

 King Kong

  Most adorable: the entire cast of the Wizard of Oz

 And Eeyore the donkey as a hot dog! (note the condiment necklace)

Live Music

Tom Mason and the Blue Buccaneers came to sing pirate ditties.

 

The Christmas Boat Parade

It's hard to conjure up the spirit of Christmas in 80F degree weather. There is no smell of pine or the crisp snow air, or cozy hats and mittens and sweaters to snuggle into. But here on St. Croix there is one event that for me brings out the best that Christmas has to offer: a happy and harmonious coming together of a diverse community.

Before sunset, half the island population convenes along the waterfront on Christiansted Harbor.


And when the darkness settles in, there begins a parade of boats decked out in lights.



They look like floating Christmas trees.


And along the waterfront, the crowds go wild with cheers.


This was a crowd favorite, and mine too!


And when the parade ends, the fireworks begin.



And it was my luck that my beautiful friend and photographer extraordinaire, Kelly Greer, was at the scene with her camera and a fancy lens that captured the lights and the nuances of the night sky. To check out more of Kelly's awesome photography, visit www.kellygreerphotographer.com.

thank you, Kelly!