The Ole Time Night Parade was perfect for local residents to enjoy the talents of the youngsters on St. Croix. Hundreds of majorettes and marching band members strutted their stuff Saturday night through the streets of Christiansted.
“I was amazed and impressed with the talent of the children,” retired teacher Anthony Stewart said. “I was happy to see the involvement and what is available for children to participate in.”
Miss St. Croix, Cliaunjel Williams, led the parade that began at Market Square, riding in a black BMW convertible.
The St. Croix Educational Complex Barracudas marching band always get the crowd pumped with the moves they do while marching and beating their drums. More than 102 members in royal blue and white jogging suits got into their music and moves.
Another 100 St. Croix Majorettes of all ages, dressed in uniforms decorated with colorful sequins, marched down King Street and Hospital Street to D.C. Canegata Park where the second night of the mini-village is taking place. The older girls dressed in black velour jumpsuits trimmed with chartreuse satin and twirled bright, green glow sticks that were the perfect touch for a night parade. The Spanglelite Twirlers also showed off their talents.
Shamara Butcher, a 10-year-old member of the St. Croix Majorettes, said the parade is good practice before the children’s parade on Jan. 4.
“I have a good time and I like to perform,” Butcher said.
The cool night air was pleasant for the children, unlike performing in the blazing sun during the festival parades. The temperature was in the low 70s with a slight breeze under a clear starry sky.
“This is a beautiful night for a parade,” said Carmencita Suarez, an observer from the sidewalk. “It has been a very enjoyable evening.”
People enjoyed the parade while seated on folding canvas chairs, walls and on the steps of Government House.
A handful of people started a tramp behind the Xclusive Band, that was playing on a flat bed truck. The number of people in the tramp grew as the parade rounded the corner by the Scale House and Customs House.
“It’s always nice to see a parade with a lot of life in it like tonight,” Louis Golden said after he watched the tramp go by.
