Coral Bay is the place to celebrate Labor Day for the entire family. The annual parade begins at 10 a.m. on Monday, at the Love City Mini Mart. This year, the St. John Festival Committee will be offering a school supply and backpack giveaway for up to 300 students.
After the parade, the action moves to the Coral Bay ballfield for the 9th annual Love City Car Show which runs from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Car enthusiasts from St. John and St. Thomas will be there to show off their customized and restored cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Admission is $8 for adults and $3 for children.
“There’s room for over 300 vehicles,” said Jay Swartley, who co-founded the show with Alston “Big Al” Smith in 2015. “There are over 36 trophies being awarded for 14 categories plus set competition (car stereo) trophies,” he added.
This year’s entertainment includes an emcee/disc jockey, quadrille dancers, and the Love City Pan Dragons. Organizers have expanded the number of children’s activities to include model car painting, remote control cars, Hot Wheels car races, a dunk tank, and face painting. Children under 12 will receive a free Hot Wheels car with their admission.
For those who want to take their time returning to St. Thomas, a late barge will be departing from the Theovald E. Moorehead Marine Terminal in Cruz Bay at 8 p.m.
The Love City Annual Car Show is a non-profit organization founded to support the local community by donating all of the proceeds and sponsor donations to St. John youth organizations. “Since our first event we have donated to more than 11 youth-based organizations,” Swartley added.
