The season of merriment and wonderment is upon us with the ninth annual Christmas Tree Lighting at Buddhoe Park by the History, Culture & Tradition Foundation, Inc. and Friends held Sunday evening on St. Croix.
Kory Joseph, 4, center, was the lucky child chosen at the ninth annual Christmas Tree Lighting in Buddhoe Park in Frederiksted, with Kali, 4, left, and Jovel Jr., 6. (Photo by Shanell Petersen)Attendees at the Christmas Tree Lighting are delighted at the countdown at dusk in Buddhoe Park. Even the youngest of attendees were provided toys and gently used books at this year’s event. (Photo by Shanell Petersen)Jeilly, 5, was very proud of her butterfly face-painted artwork by Liz along with her team members at Child Party Servicevide, who provided free face painting and animal balloons for the children. (Photo by Shanell Petersen)Diana, 7, eagerly looks on with Santa at the bags of gifts that were given to children. Christopher Ellis, dressed as Santa, along with his wife, Ellie Hirsh, have collectively been giving out gifts and gently used books for the holidays for over 20 years on St. Croix. They are also board members of the Children’s Museum in hopes of one day having a true home for their philanthropic efforts. In the interim, they frequently do pop-ups throughout the island. Hirsh has distributed more than 2,200 books over the past 15 years. (Photo by Shanell Petersen)A festive crowd patiently waits for the opportunity to take photos with Santa, receive presents and gently used books for all ages on Sunday evening in Buddhoe Park, Frederiksted. (Photo by Shanell Petersen)Long lines were not of concern to the many attendees of the annual Christmas Tree Lighting as children were also given bags of candy by the host HCT Foundation and Friends. (Photo by Shanell Petersen)Rahzai Gumbs, 8, speaks to Santa about whether he has been “naughty” or “nice” at the ninth annual Christmas Tree Lighting at Buddhoe Park in Frederiksted. (Photo by Shanell Petersen)The culturally-decorated Christmas tree decked in madras before the lighting in Buddhoe Park. (Photo by Shanell Petersen)Greg Richards, president of the HCT Foundation, from left, Anita Nibbs, secretary/treasurer, and Alexis Doward, vice president, were all smiles as they continue to grow this event that began when they were children. Maintaining this tradition along with the Emancipation Day Celebration, “Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow,” also held at Buddhoe Park on July 3, is their gift to the community of Frederiksted and to the whole of St. Croix. Doward noted, “I am very excited about the 10-year anniversary next year. We are already planning!” (Photo by Shanell Petersen)
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