June 4, 2002 – For the last 11 years, the St. John Community Foundation has organized and operated the Children's Carnival Village as part of the St. John Celebration, and this year will be no exception.
The mini-village will be open to children and their families from June 28 through July 3 from 6 to 10 p.m. It's an alcohol- and drug-free zone that features games, presentations, arts and crafts activities, snacks and soft drinks at affordable prices, and it runs on volunteer power.
Youngsters play games to win tokens that can be redeemed for prizes. This year, the Westin Resort, thanks to its operations director, Graeme Davis, is refurbishing all of the old games and purchasing new ones, too.
Each evening, children will get to make their own carnival masks under the supervision of St. John artists. They will be able to wear them in the Fourth of July parade in the Children's Carnival Village troupe sponsored in part by the St. John Accommodations Council.
Harry Daniel, president of the Community Foundation board, said there's something new this year — "fun and informative activities about carnival, its history and its relationship to the Virgin Islands and its people."
Other activities on tap include demonstrations and presentations on mocko jumbies, African dance, carnival costumes, steelpan music, scratch band music and carnival art (with children painting a mural). And even a mini-workshop on "How to be a carnival prince or princess," with former organizers and winners sharing tips on what it takes to win. These events are being sponsored in part by Caribbean Villas & Resorts Management and The West Indian Co.
For the grown-ups, there will be an ongoing raffle of prizes including shopping sprees, resort stays, and dining, sports and entertainment certificates. "The proceeds will go to support the foundation's program of mini-grants that are awarded throughout the year to fund the community-oriented projects of local youth groups and organizations," raffle organizer Lonnie Willis said.
The foundation would welcome volunteers to work at Children's Village, donations of additional raffle prizes and direct contributions. To learn more, call 693-9410.
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