Dec. 26, 2001 – Carnival 2002 started a little early -– at 6 a.m. Wednesday -– as hundreds of revelers joined together at the Fort Christian parking lot to tramp down Veterans Drive to the sounds of the Imaginations Brass.
The Old-Time Christmas Jump-up, sponsored by the V.I. Carnival Committee, is one in a series of events that will culminate in April when the territory will celebrate the 50th year of Carnival.
J'Ouvert, an early morning jump-up, traditionally takes place on the morning before the Children's Parade, after many of the participants have partied all night. But Wednesday's march, scheduled from 5 to 9 a.m. on "Christmas Second Day," had unusual timing and a decidedly seasonal look.
Santa hats were bobbing to and fro as the spirited group made its way past Gottlieb's Quickway Service Center around 8:45 a.m. tramping behind, before, and alongside the popular Imaginations Brass.
"We can't stop now," one dancer in a bright Santa hat declared as the hardy party-ers, indeed, kept on keepin' on.
