Dec. 15, 2008 — It's time to open your hearts and your pockets and come downtown Friday for the 15th annual Miracle on Main Street.
The street fair, sponsored by the Destination Downtown Committee of the St. Thomas-St. John Chamber of Commerce, brings "Miracle Special" shopping treats and the best in local entertainment, including dancers, steel bands, mocko jumbies galore, majorettes, choirs and art shows. Stores will stay open until 9 p.m.
The celebration begins at 10 a.m. Friday with a traditional arts, crafts and food fair in Emancipation Garden by the Committee to Revive Our Culture, with more than 60 booths offering everything from maubi, guavaberry, tarts, sweet breads, soups and candies, to plants, local jewelry and crafts.
This year's 9th annual Lighted Boat Parade looks to be better than ever, according to a news release from the V.I. Charter Yacht League. This year, the parade announced its partnership with Yacht Haven Grande. To entice boats from the East End and the Red Hook area, the Yacht Haven marina is offering free overnight slips to the participants traveling farthest. For reservations, call Kristen Galloway, marina manger, at 774-9500.
The boats are judged on lighting, special effects and ornamentation. Prizes are awarded to the top three placing boats. The parade is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. starting at Yacht Haven and sailing to Frenchtown and back in a spectacular lighting display in the harbor. To register your vessel, contact league Director Erik Ackerson at 774-3944.
Participants in this year's celebration include the Mungo Niles Dancers, Ivanna Eudora Kean High School band and choir, Antilles Schools Steel Band, P'Your Passion band, the Bertha C. Boschulte Burning Blazers, the Caribbean Ritual Dancers, Cool Sessions Brass, the Voices of Love, Sts. Peter and Paul Angels of Steel, Milo's Kings, Encore Band, DJ Aluda and Sweeta Band.
"Graffiti Street" students will wrap your packages, offer candy bags and local drinks in Post Office Square. Barbara Petersen, St. Thomas-Water Island administrator, is donating a cake for the youngsters to sell through the Vienna Cake Society, according to Ananta Pancham, "Graffiti Street" coordinator.
Gallery St. Thomas will feature paintings by Anne Graney, with a reception from 4 to 7:30 p.m. The gallery is upstairs at 1 Main Street.
Shops will all have their doors flung wide, with special one-night discounts on jewelry, perfumes, cameras, cosmetics and just about anything else you'd want. And the downtown restaurants which normally close their doors after dark will stay open and offer special treats.
The event usually draws so many people that neighboring restaurants along Veterans Drive benefit from the event as well.
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