Dec. 7, 2008 — The Crucian Christmas Festival had some problems Saturday as it presented an Old Time Traditional Night Parade in Christiansted, but that didn't stop the smiles, the shaking of hips and the driving beat of the music from the Caribbean Revelers of Trinidad and Tobago.
The first problem was the weather. Saturday afternoon was cloudy and it started raining by early evening, a couple hours before the planned 8 p.m. start.
"This is still fun even in the rain," said Floyd Henderson of J & J Fun Troop, dancing around in the rain in his under the sea themed royal blue and bright green lame carnival costume.
The Crucian Festival Royalty of 2007-08 led the parade, passing a good-sized crowd huddled under umbrellas and galleries all along King Street.
The rain did not stop the St. Croix Educational Complex High School Marching Band from starting on time.
But when the truck hauling the trailer with the Rising Stars Steel Pan Band pulled out of Market Street onto King Street, an axle broke and the street was blocked.
But this only deterred the Major Minorettes for about 20 minutes before members took their music and their shaking grass skirts around the broken-down trailer and kept the party going for residents on both sides of King Street.
"Rain or shine, a parade is a parade," said Sandra Phaire of the Major Minorettes.
The Central and St. Joseph's High School classes of 1969 were decked out in pajamas and nightgowns for Santa's Pajama Party.
Janice Tutein said they were starting the celebration of their 40th class reunion. The class of '69's Lydia Rijos came home from North Carolina to have fun now that she has retired.
"I'm making up for lost time at home now," Rijos said.
Oran Bowry of the St. Croix Majorettes opted to not have the St. Croix Majorettes march.
"We have five-year-olds out here tonight," Bowry said. "I think it's better they didn't march. But we'll be out strong for the festival."
The parade wound around town to the Mini Village at Christian "Shan" Hendricks Vegetable Market, where the fun continued with food, music and dance.
The Crucian Christmas Festival this year is "Showcasing Cultural Ties that Bind."
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