Former President Jimmy Carter made a surprise visit Wednesday at Buddhoe Park to take part in the opening ceremonies of the Crucian Christmas Festival’s Food, Arts and Crafts Fair.
Although the opening was set for 11 a.m., fair committee members and officials mingled with the crowd and socialized a while in order to give the Carter Family entourage time to arrive.
Gov. John deJongh Jr. greeted and chatted with Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, who arrived around 1 p.m. Carter then went immediately to a food booth to sample some Crucian food.
After opening ceremonies, where Corrine Milligan was honored as the food fair’s new reigning cook, Carter was invited up to the bandstand to say a few words to the crowd.
He said being a former First Family, the Carters could vacation anywhere in the world and they chose St. Croix.
Carter’s son, Jeff, said family members had all been here at other times, but that this was the first they all got together on St. Croix. He added they were enjoying their stay here.
Carter said he brought 31 people in his group, joking playfully that they were helping the economy on St. Croix.
“Keep your island beautiful,” Carter encouraged the listeners.
Milligan, who received a presentation from Delegate Donna Christiansen and a floral arrangement from V.I. First Lady Cecil deJongh, has been cooking since she was 12 and has been a participant and booth owner in the food fair for over 20 years. Her specialties are pates and bullfoot soup.
Numerous vendors of all sorts were set up under tents along Strand Street and around the clock tower. There were really luscious-looking red velvet or pale green pistachio layer cakes that Crucian Cake Queen Renita Johannes had for sale. She said business had been strong.
Brad Nugent, assistant commissioner of Tourism, said the fairly new venue for the food fair at Buddhoe Park makes sense since they get thousands attending. He said the festival has grown overall.
On hand to provide musical entertainment, Wednesday was Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights, while the Guardians of Culture’s moko jumbies danced for the crowds.
Thoroughly enjoying the day, President Carter did have one request of Crucian residents. He said Rosalynn wanted the recipe for what locals call stuffing. She thought it was sweet potatoes, but whatever it is called, she wanted to try it again.
