June 28, 2007 — Thursday was the night to mix and mingle as St. John celebrated the opening of Juju Paris Village, part of the island's July 4th Celebration.
"This is part of our culture," Paris said in his remarks to several hundred people gathered in the Village.
His wife, Janice Paris, introduced her husband to the crowd as a man with a love of both music and fast boats. Over the years, she said, her husband has had several boats, starting with Bad News.
"As in Bad News travels fast," she said.
Paris is a St. John businessman who organizes the music for the July 4th Celebration Village.
As the sun set over St. John, people began to gather. Those working the 20 or so booths that ringed the public parking lot in Cruz Bay set out their wares, and police officers spread out around the Village and Cruz Bay.
"The more visibility, the less chance of anything happening," said Police Chief Rodney Querrard.
Safety was on the mind of Jaray Todman, 14, of St. John. Busy chatting with Winston Smith and Alvis Christian at the John's Folly Learning Institute booth, he said he hoped there would be no violence this year.
John's Folly Learning Institute members were serving fried fish, seasoned rice, barbecue chicken, johnny cake and pate in booth No. 2.
"Friday, we'll have our special crab and rice," Christian said.
Armstrong's Ice Cream brought a truck over from St. Thomas to sell made-in-St. Croix ice cream in such flavors as passion fruit, guavaberry, mango, soursop, peanut, almond and pineapple.
"It sells very well," said saleswoman Harriet Roach.
Jessie Cawley and Val Prakas, both St. John teachers, sold all sorts of food at a booth called the Suga Shack. Selling at the Village gave them a "kick" of energy at the end of the school year that gets them ready for summer vacation, Cawley said.
Laura Valerio worked at a booth on the other side of the village.
"It's a family tradition," she said.
Bob O'Connor and several friends manned the Ambassadors Club booth to raise money for a fast-pitch softball tournament. The club promotes sporting activities, he said. The booth had mutton and chicken for sale, but his friends didn’t let him cook any of it, O'Connor said with a laugh.
The night brought out residents, visitors and at least one former St. John resident. Doris Stuckert, who now lives in Melbourne, Florida, came back to visit family.
"I've seen lots of people I know," she said.
Donna Schempp and Mary Beth Reiners, both from New Jersey, were out having dinner when they heard about the Village opening.
"We came to hear the local music," Schempp said.
A St. Thomas resident who gave his name as Love Cad said this was the first time he'd been to the Village opening. He enjoyed the Love City Pan Dragons.
"The steel band is great," Cad said.
In addition to July 4th Celebration royalty and a roster of current and former senators, Gov. John deJongh Jr. and Lt. Gov. Gregory Francis also attended.
Francis had kind words to say about the St. John Festival and Cultural Organization for its efforts in making the Village happen.
"St. John is small in size, but big on planning," he said.
DeJongh, however, said he neglected to plan for a place to stay on the booked-up St. John.
"I'm available to be a house guest for the next couple of days," he said.
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