April 28, 2007 — On Saturday, majorettes, mocko jumbies, carnival royalty and assorted revelers shared the stage with periodic rain showers as the V.I. Carnival Committee presented its annual Adults’ Parade in Charlotte Amalie.
This year’s grand marshal was plucked from the V.I. National Guard. Riding high in his camouflage uniform, Sgt. Elvy Rogers said, “It’s lovely, it’s an honor.” To colleagues who couldn’t share in this year’s Carnival, he extended a wish: “Come back home safe, we are praying for you.”
Delegate Donna M. Christensen arrived early to take her seat on the reviewing stand. “I have always loved Carnival,” she said. “It’s such a rich expression of our culture. It’s going to be a great parade.” An energetic First Lady Cecile deJongh entered the Grand Hotel Square saying, “I’m ready to go again today.”
Added Gov. John deJongh Jr., “It’s the happiness of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands — we’ll share the same thing with St. John and St. Croix.” To those in the armed forces who could not be here, he said, “Next time hopefully they’re here to enjoy Carnival, because each year it gets better and better.”
Seeing their first V.I. Carnival parade were Brian Coolidge, his wife, Denise and their daughter, Brianna. “We’re from Dover, New Hampshire,” Brian said. “We came down on a cruise ship.”
For once in 15 years, Brandt Bruney got to watch the parade instead of film it. The former production manager at TV2 and WTJX has launched his own studio. “It’s good to be able to just come and enjoy for once,” said Bruney, fresh from projects on behalf of WCK Band in Dominica and St. John’s Inner Visions. “This is great.”
Among the many royals was V.I. Carnival Queen Esonica Veira, who has seen many carnivals. “This one is very special,” she said. “This time I’m the queen of Carnival. It’s a story to tell year after year. Something I’ll never forget.”
Miss Virgin Islands/Puerto Rico Friendship Queen Leonore Marie White, an 18-year-old attending the St. Croix Educational Complex, was charged with researching the cultural histories of the two territories and presenting the information to a committee in order to obtain her title. “I learned a lot about the Virgin Islands and the other islands, too,” she said.
Entrants came from the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and as far away as New Haven, Conn., in the form of a troupe called tthe Ultimate Dance Experience. They sashayed past a throng that refused to yield to occasional bouts of precipitation. Other troupes, including a potpourri of visitors, included We Come to Lime and V.I. Freshwater Yankees.
Individual entries included Oldies But Goodies with Leo and Mom, a yellow 1924 Model T — a “Bucket T” — driven by Leo Hobbs. Calypsonian Chester Brady, also know as the Mighty Groover, was sweet rather than piquant this year as he wheeled a huge pink “cake” with gold piping, red tinsel starbursts and candles in the shape of the number 55 in honor of Carnival’s birthday.
Sebastien’s Majorettes brought back a traditional V.I. parade icon, the coin. Sen. Shawn-Michael Malone, who has been known to twirl the baton and perform intricate sword routines in the square, was sidelined by an arm injury. Pointing out a majorette standing still in front of a huge coin fashioned of glitter, he said, “I can’t tell you how much money it is … it’s priceless.”
Calypso monarch King Spade (Cedric Brookes) expressed enthusiasm about his third win. “I feel great,” he said. But he wants to see more participation by veteran and new calypsonians: “I’d like to see a lot of young people get involved.”
During the parades, attention turns from the composer to the song as the competition heats up for the V.I. Road March, the tune that amasses the most live performances before parade judges. One surprise candidate for Road March is “Bunny Train” by the Police Department’s Juvenile Delinquency Prevention Program (JDPP) Jammerz.
“The Bunny Train is hot, hot, hot for carnival!” exclaimed Coordinator Stephen Payne. “Even the governor is doing it!” To the delight of a cheering crowd, DeJongh later held his own in the Bunny Train line in the square.
A variety of troupes descended on the square in a riot of tall plumed headdresses, spangled outfits and lots of flair. Among them were the Jesters with Jest’Indian Pow Wow, a tribute to the Traditional Indians. Their outfits featured mirrors, body paint, painted hatchets and multicolored feathers. Elskoe and Associates’ Journey Beyond was dedicated to Dorothy “Dotsie” Elskoe and Faith Liburd, who were not in attendance. An Aztec-themed float featuring brilliant golden tribal pillars ushered in some 150 ancient warriors dressed in a variety of colors with matching arched headdresses and chiffon-streamed standards.
Also notable was Mystique’s majestic From the Motherland to the Caribbean, dominated by red, gold and green. The Wild West era received a gentle nod from the Gypsies as they presented their Western Mas. Lovenlund Apartment dwellers brought reggae music to the parade with Loven Reggae. Hugga Bunch, 2007 king and queen of the band winners, brought forth their Fire Warriors, featuring Urban Descartes and Shammie Phipps.
The Carnival Committee imposed time limits depending on the size of each entry to ensure the parade would end early enough so the thousands gathered downtown could compose themselves and make their way to the village for the 9 p.m. fireworks. With the Traditional Indians bringing the parade to a close at 6:30 p.m., exhausted parade marshals brought down the curtain on another V.I. cultural spectacular.
For more pictures from the Adults' Parade, please see the Community/Other Stuff section.
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