Running through Sunday night, the annual Father’s Day extravaganza put on by the Committee for the Betterment of Carenage will have treats for the young and old, games, food, drinks and festive entertainment.
The event kicked off Friday night with a ribbon cutting and opening ceremony that was highlighted by the crowning of the 2013 Miss Carenage, Charlotte Amalie High School senior Kzsa Maria Hodge. On her way to a major in biology – with hopes of being a forensic pathologist – Hodge said that she was inspired to follow in the footsteps of her aunts and grandmother (also former Miss Carenage winners) and congratulated the fathers in the audience for continuing to be an inspiration to their children.
"I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father’s protection," Hodge said. "Fathers, continue the great work so that we can have future role models just like yourselves."
The crowd was sparse when the opening began at 7:30 but ballooned quickly, as more and more residents packed in to see the festivities, eat and sample drinks at the nearby booths. The event was held this year in the Frenchtown parking lot, adjacent to the Joseph Aubain ballpark, and the crowds made a ring around the center as the Sebastien Majorettes showcased their twirling skills and got the mood going with some soca-powered routines.
Applause and whistles erupted as a panel of speakers touched again and again on the spirit of the event, with inspirational tributes to the territory’s fathers.
"The bond forged between a father and child is sacred," said Jean P. Greaux Jr., president of the Committee for the Betterment of Carenage. "Fathers are our first teachers and coaches, mentors and role models, they push us to succeed, they pick us up when we’re struggling and offer unconditional care and support. An active, committed father makes a lasting difference in the life of a child."
Greaux said the Father’s Day event has been organized by the committee for the past 18 years – and was officially established about six decades before that – because of the community’s desire to honor local fathers and the role they play in shaping the lives of their children.
"All the fathers, those in our midst and those that have come before us, deserve our undying admiration and appreciation," Greaux said. "And that is really what is at the heart of this three-night celebration."
Greaux added that this year the committee would be upping the ante with donations to the Junior Firefighters and Kidscope Inc – two organizations that he said are synonymous with "caring, nurturing and with counseling our young people."
The donations will be presented around 7 p.m. Sunday during the closing and awards ceremony, which will also honor the winners of the annual Mother’s Day and Father’s Day fishing tournaments.
