From the annual Children’s Carnival Parade to a last lap at Magens Bay Beach, the upcoming Carnival weekend promises to deliver lots of fun and event organizers are appealing to the public for its help in keeping things running smoothly.
For the parades, the V.I. Police Department released a list of do’s and don’ts at a press conference held last week, which included everything from curfew reminders for minors to parking restrictions in downtown Charlotte Amalie. (See link below)
Carnival Committee Chairman Kenneth Blake sent out a news release this week announcing that the Adult’s Parade will end at 6 p.m. this year due to "safety concerns." The release asks all troupes participating in the parade to be on time and to cooperate with the parade marshals.
Meanwhile spending a relaxing day at Magens Bay Beach has become tradition for hundreds of Virgin Islanders on what is known as "Carnival Sunday" – the day after the Adult’s Parade – and the Magens Bay Authority is getting the word out about some new parking regulations.
According to the authority’s general manager, Hubert Brumant, parking at the beach for this Sunday is limited to 500 vehicles. Carpooling with friends or family members is encouraged, he said.
Alternate parking is available at Sibs parking lot, Roy L. Schneider Hospital’s east wing, Lockhart Elementary School and the Home Depot, and residents parking in these areas can then catch a shuttle that will take them to Magens Bay, or Smith Bay Park, for a small fee.
Shuttle service runs from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Magens Bay security officers will be on duty to enforce the parking regulations, and any violators will be booted and towed, Brumant said.
The authority is also reminding residents that illegal drugs and weapons are prohibited at the beaches.