Thursday night, St. John paid tribute to Harry Daniel at the official opening of the year 2000 festival village named in his honor.
At the front of the stage in the Cruz Bay parking lot, a banner bid all welcome to "Daniel's Court." Taking the microphone, the 23-year police veteran, now retired, got right to the point.
"Like they normally say when you have court, hear ye, hear ye, hear ye," he said, "Daniel's Court is now in session, the honorable Harry Daniel and the people of St. John are hereby presiding – because it's not only me but also the people of St. John that welcome you here tonight."
St. John Festival Village chair Jane Johannes and other speakers at the opening night ceremonies took turns citing Daniel's years and fields of civic and community service – policeman, chief ranger of the V.I. National Park, master sergeant in the V.I. National Guard, immediate past president of the St. John Community Foundation, member of the Board of Education, advocate for military veterans and last but far from least, member of the St. John Festival and Cultural Organization.
Sen. Almando "Rocky" Liburd called Daniel a workaholic, saying in the same breath that St. John needs more people like him.
Johannes said Daniel's unceasing contributions helped bring the annual celebration into a better day. "I have worked with Harry Daniel for many, many years to keep this festival together," she told the audience. "For many years we didn't have one penny, but we worked day and night."
The festival royalty – Queen Suzette Kelly, Prince Imri Tonge and Princess Liyah Tonge – also gave greetings.
Just before the village ribbon-cutting ceremony, the honoree took care of one other pleasurable bit of business: He announced the name of this year's winner of the St. John Community Foundation's Harry Daniel Scholarship Fund award. And the winner was: Festival Queen Suzette.
