We From Upstreet, the St. Thomas neighborhood group, topped off its 15-year anniversary celebrations Monday night with a traditional tree lighting ceremony that brought large crowds out to the Franklin D. Roosevelt V.I. Veterans Memorial Park for some singing, dancing and all around Christmas cheer.
Upstreet organizer and member Myron Jackson said this year’s anniversary celebrations have been going on for the past few months and will continue with two more nights in the park, as well as an upcoming walking tour.
As a tribute to the organization’s ongoing service to the community, Upstreet’s founder Hillis Lewis-Elden was honored at this year’s tree lighting ceremony. West Indian Company Limited President Edward Thomas Sr. was also honored at the event.
Children from the surrounding community gathered around 7 p.m. to flip the lights on in the park, which were wound around every possible tree and bush.
"It took about 11 or 12 hours to get them all up; we were here from about 7:30 p.m. last night," said Oscar Rolle, a V.I. Water and Power Authority lineman who helped put up the bulbs.
Rolle said his son Dylan went around telling the other children Monday that "his daddy hung up all the lights."
"He really enjoys coming out to this," Rolle said. "And it is fun for us, too. It is always a really nice event."
Afterward, most of the children took to the playground or stood in line at the WTJX Channel 12 table to get some free giveaways. Organizers said WTJX is launching its new Kids Club program, which is looking to get more families involved in the station and its activities.
Membership is available for families of five, two parents with three children, Kids Club Coordinator Joyce Hobson said. The children get discounts to different local stores, and every month there will be different activities across the territory for the families to participate in, she said.
While the youngsters played, the older crowds set up in chairs around the park, listening to music provided by a variety of choirs or just taking the time to talk with their friends. The food tent on one end of the park was also a hub of activity.
"This is always a wonderful event for us," Jackson said. "And it is something that the community looks forward to every year, something that we look forward to every year."
For more information on the Kids Club program, call 718-3339.
