The month-long Crucian Christmas Festival will open Dec. 3 with a mini-festival presentation to the residents and staff of the Herbert Grigg Homes for the Aged, a mini-parade, troupes, music and more, the festival organization announced. This year’s theme is "Celebrate the Crucian Carnival Flavor for Festival 2011-2012."
The annual Soup du Cure, benefiting the Caribbean Education Initiative, will be Dec. 4, at Pirate’s Tavern in Salt River Marina from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. This annual soup competition is open to amateur chefs and local restaurants.
The mini-village, the smaller precursor to the main festival village, opens in Christiansted Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. Then Dec. 11, the old-time night parade winds its way down King Street in Christiansted beginning at 6:30 p.m. The prince, princess and duchess pageant is at John H. Woodson School Dec. 11, with a start time of 2 p.m. sharp.
The Miss St. Croix pageant will be Dec. 18 at Island Center for the Performing Arts, starting at 5 p.m. Christmas Day in Buddhoe Park at 6:30 p.m. will be a Christmas concert for children, with gospel singers and cartoon characters.
Jouvert line up is Jan. 4, 6 a.m. at Hannah’s Rest corner and the food arts and crafts fair follows at noon Wednesday on the Frederiksted waterfront around the Eliza McBean Clock Tower.
The festival village opens for 11 big nights on Thursday, Dec. 29. The ribbon cutting is at 6 p.m. Don’t miss Cultural Night, the Quelbe Tramp and the Old Skool tramp and Latin Night featuring Joseph Fonseca. Also in the Village will top Haitian band T-Vice. And see Tayna Stevens, Denise Belfon, Blaxx, Onyan and the Three Cylinder band, and veteran Calypsonians Black Stalin and Calypso Rose in the Village.
Local favorites will perform in the Festival Village including Pumpa, UMB, Fusion, Stroka, Hartatak, Outta Limits, Rudy, Dennis the Mennis, Image, Express, Complex, Heritage Dancers, The General, Sabor Latino, Liquid Sounds, Prince Galloway, King Derby and many more.
Viewers can also see photos of the pageant contestants and get information on ticket locations as well as download your parade and Food fair applications on the festival website. Questions can be emailed to stxfestival@yahoo.com.
