Dec. 30, 2008 – The Crucian Christmas Festival Food, Arts and Crafts Fair was held at a new venue this year – the Eliza McBean Clock Tower in Frederiksted's Buddhoe Park – and people seemed to like the new locale.
Official word was the spot was perfect, with more room for the food vendors to spread out and more room for the crowds buying the food. Organizers would like to see the food fair held at the park again. The food fairs have traditionally been held at the Christian 'Shan' Hendricks vegetable market in Christiansted or the Anne Heyliger market in Frederiksted. The markets are quaint for a food fair but not nearly roomy enough.
“There is more space here,” said resident Rita Petersen Tuesday. “You can walk around better.”
The vendors tables set up in tents were piled high and low with aluminum roasters and take out containers full of traditional fare such as kallaloo, conch and butter sauce, souse and potato salad, barbecued ribs and chicken, fish, stews, pates and more. There were cakes and tarts galore with stacks of more goodies in sealable plastic cake savers everywhere one looked.
“My sales of cakes are always great at the food fair,” said pastry chef Renita Johannes, as she served up a luscious looking piece of white coconut cake to go.
“The food is always good here,” said Lawrence Petersen Sr. “I've been coming for more than 50 years.”
The vendors began selling to the crowd around noon and the opening ceremony took place around 1 p.m.
The ceremony was held on the bandstand draped in madras and bows, which was the perfect place for viewing. Folks sat on park benches and chairs under the shade of big, old trees.
“The food fair is a time to relax and have food and fun with family and friends,” said Gov. John deJongh Jr. “The festival is about friendship and love.”
Each year during the festival a cook with special culinary talents is honored. This year the honor went to Elizabeth”Betty” Lynch. According to the program, Lynch said she always watched her mother and others when they prepared food. Her high school teacher, Olivia Hinds Henry, also influenced and helped her become one of the better cooks on St. Croix.
“I'm very pleased to be here after participating more than 20 years,” Lynch said. “They say everything takes time and this is my time.”
First lady Cecile deJongh pinned a bright yellow and red orchid corsage on Lynch. The festival committee gave Lynch two aprons, a floral arrangement and a plaque. Delegate Donna M. Christensen gave Lynch a basket of flowers and a congressional certificate of recognition.
“Food is love and there is a lot of love here,” Christensen said during the opening.
More than two dozen vendors of all sorts were set up.
“We are getting bigger and better every year,” said Antoinette D. Lenhardt, vice president of the festival committee and food fair committee member.
Alma Christensen was selling her custom made Crucian dolls in gorgeous quadrille dresses made of madras, gingham, velvet, satin and a burlap type fabric. Clothing and jewelry was for sale and one vendor sold Obama T-shirts.
The Rising Stars steel pan band, Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights and others provided entertainment.
The theme for the 56th Crucian Christmas Festival is “Showcasing Cultural Ties That Bind,” which was fitting for the food fair since food is often something that binds people of all cultures together. It was evident in the crowds pleased looks and smiling faces at Buddhoe Park after having a good meal.
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