Feb. 6, 2007 — V.I. National Park Ranger Denise Georges is urging island residents to come to the park's 16th annual Folklife Festival in order get in touch with the island's storied past.
Festivities will be held Feb. 27 and 28, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Annaberg Plantation on St. John.
"There's food music and dance in a cultural diaspora," Georges said.
She said the event was an opportunity to reminisce about old times for folks who grew up on St. John and in the Virgin Islands. She said that people who didn't grow up in the territory should come to find out what made the place so beautiful.
Georges said she expects numerous school groups from St. Thomas and St. John to visit, as well as adults and tourists.
She said retired park ranger Matilda Marsh is flying in from Texas to demonstrate how to bake johnny cake in a coal pot. "She's the food person," Georges said.
She said the roster of people demonstrating their crafts includes joiners Almando Kennings and Avelino Samuel, broom maker Justin Todman, doll makers Gwendolyn Harley and Esther Frett, arts and craftspeople Yolanda Morton and Karen Samuel, bead and shell jewelry maker Alton Evans and herbalist Curtis Bridgewater.
Georges said that the Heritage adult and youth quadrille dance groups and the Lockhart School quadrille dancers will perform. Additionally, the drumming group Echo People, as well as Smalls and the Music Makers, will take to the stage.
For more information, call Georges at 776-6201.
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