The blazing heat Wednesday didn’t hinder eager attendees at the 60th Anniversary Carnival Cultural Fair. Some had waited a year for another chance to sample fair goodies.
Kenneth Blake, V.I. Carnival Committee chairman, encouraged attendees to purchase several of their favorite things, especially items they may not see again until next carnival.
“Eat one now,” he said, “and take three or four home.”
Mumbles from food-stuffed mouths were barely audible between belly rubs and huge grins as hundreds of people crowded around Emancipation Garden for the Cultural Fair, formerly known as the Food Fair.
More than 50 vendors sold everything from local produce to handmade jewelry. Island favorites such as saltfish treats, ginger beer, Johnny cakes, pastries, herbs, stews and vegetarian dishes were in abundance.
Children darted through the crowd in bright costumes searching for passion fruit popsicles and coconut smoothies.
Essalita Fleming was honored this year for 30 years of participation at the fair. The theme, Esso’s Caribbean Delight, reflected her local menu.
Cultural Fair committee member Linda Carrillo said that people have been known to fly home or request care packages just to eat Fleming’s delicious food.
“She’s been here the longest and her food is the tastiest,” said Fleming’s son, Arnold Fleming.
Essalita Fleming pulled out all of the stops for this year’s fair, serving saltfish dishes, potato pudding, local fruit bread, cakes and many more favorites.
Award winners from previous years brought forth their best in hopes of coming out on top again. Oswin Sewer, a relative and assistant at Laurel Hewitt-Sewer’s booth, said they included some of last year’s favorites such as the sweet potato cake and a guava berry drink.
“Every year we get close to running out and every year she has to make more,” said Sewer.
There were plenty of veteran booths at the fair, like the University of the Virgin Islands and Gladys A. Abraham Elementary, but this year also saw new stores such as Outer Body, Inner Peace, which specializes in products made mostly from local ingredients. 
Abraham Elementary students sold their usual homegrown produce as well as new wood carvings. Assistant Principal Patricia Maynard said that proceeds go right back into the garden and other projects for the students.
Speakers at the ceremony were pleased with the large number of Culture Fair attendees who had moved away and come back for carnival, how many tourists attended to experience the culture, and the number of locals who continue to support their favorite time of year.
The 2012 V.I. Carnival Queen, Savannah Lyons-Anthony, said she was extremely excited to participate in this year’s festivities. “I try not to think of it as work,” she said, “but just a big party.”
Denver Antoine, a self-proclaimed Carnival ambassador living in California, said he moved to the states, but comes back every year for Carnival and hasn’t missed one since the 1980s.
As Antoine sat chatting with a V.I. Police officer, he noted that Carnival feels safer this year. The two men referred to the lack of violence so far and hoped that it would remain peaceful.
Local specialties at reasonable prices and energetic vendors kept attendees circling Emancipation Garden in search of delectable treats they may have previously missed.
The Cultural Fair has taken place in Emancipation Garden since the destruction of the bungalow in 2002
Gov. John deJongh Jr. addressed the crowd, remembering the Virgin Islanders’ influence and the impact of Carnival. “Sixty years of our culture, of our music and of our food,” he said.
Cultural Fair 2012 Awards
Arts and Crafts: STT/STJ Woodworkers
Produce: Charles H. Leonard
Plants: Joseph Leonard
Cakes and Pastries: Laurel Hewitt-Sewer
Best Dressed Participant: Randolph Rawlings
Special Food Contest 2012 “Saltfish Cakes”: Vivian Raymond
