Dec. 15, 2006 The harbor was alive Friday night with boats bearing Santas, stars and snowmen; and across from the harbor, the town was lit up like, well, a Christmas tree. And no wonder it was the 13th annual Miracle on Main Street.
Crowds of happy folk greeted one another, stopping for a seasonal hug or kiss as they strolled down the street among mocko jumbies, steel bands, dancers, lots of children dressed up in little Santa hats, young people flirting and the occasional tourist.
Actually, the celebration started at 10 a.m. in Emancipation Garden, where the Lockhart Elementary School Quadrille Dancers, dressed in madras costumes, held the crowd spellbound as they professionally stepped out.
Three bands from Ivanna Eudora Kean High School one steel, one concert and one jazz played while dressed in the schools maroon-and-pink plaid uniforms. Brittney Jones sat patiently awaiting her turn with a couple other concert musicians, while the BCB steel band played. I play the flute, she said with a smile, anxious to get up and do so.
Leading everyone on was Irvin Brownie Brown, the islands master of MCs.
Come back tonight, he urged everyone, especially the youngsters. Theres going to be Santa tonight, he said. And I hear he is going to be short and ugly. Brownie, of course, was referring to himself. I must have played Santa 40 times over the years, all over the island, he said.
The garden was filled with booths selling everything from local hot sauce to johnny cakes to stuffed puppy dogs. Virgie Cuffee sold the black cakes, tarts and hot sauces she has made for years, wearing her Virgies Kitchen apron.
A few booths down, Iona Wilkinson was selling frozen flavored drinks in frosty bottles — banana, strawberry, pineapple and even soursop. Im selling these for my daughters, who started doing this about three years ago, Wilkinson said.
Friday night the garden had turned into a fairyland. All the trees were decorated and lights were everywhere. In the parking area just outside, people thronged to the food vendors' lines, where all manner of things to eat prevailed, from chicken legs to tofu stew and Dotties [Dottie Elskoe] guavaberry.
Cool Session Brass played as people danced through the garden. Diane Brinker, who moved to St. Croix two years ago after having lived on St. Thomas since the late 60s, was overwhelmed. Its just so beautiful, she said. After all this time, its still just wonderful. I live on St. Croix, but my heart is still on St. Thomas.
The Humane Society of St. Thomas was selling its popular license plates, and a new addition, a Red Hat ladies calendar. All the proceeds from the sales are going to our capital campaign fund for the new animal campus, said board member Scott Martin.
Music, lights and laughter filled the night. It could be heard all the way to Frenchtown, well after the official closing time of 10 p.m.
Performing throughout town were 10 bands, mocko jumbie troops, choirs and dance groups. (See below for a complete list of performers.)
The Caribbean Ritual Dancers performed, accompanied by a lively Milos Kings, which traditionally plays for the dancers. Attired in colorful floral costumes — with the elaborate headdresses for the women, and the classic madras shirts for the men — the group of about 16 twirled, and moved in and out, making colorful patterns, while a crowd clapped along shouting encouragement and stamping their feet in rhythm with the dancers.
Led by Carlos Woods, the troupe includes local personalities including Patricia Rogers, Elmo Adams and Edwin Davis.
The boat parade, sponsored by the V.I. Department of Tourism, has now become part of the annual event. The crowds gathered across Veterans Drive to see about a dozen boats sail boats, power yachts, fishing boats, and a couple dinghies — show their stuff. A huge star shed light from one boat, Santas waved from others, and carols rang out from more than one entrant.
Miracle on Main is presented by the St. Thomas-St. John Chamber of Commerce's Destination Downtown Committee. This year's sponsors include Guardian Insurance, A.H. Riise Stores, I. Levin Properties, Scotiabank, Royal Caribbean, West Indian Co. Ltd., MSI Building Supplies, University of the Virgin Islands, Bellows International, Dynasty Dazzlers, Calypso Realty and the V.I. Department of Tourism.
List of Performers
5 – 6 p.m., Antilles School Steel Band, Palm Passage Parking Lot
6 – 9 p.m., Love City Pan Dragons, Post Office Square
6 – 9 p.m., Encore Band, Store Tvaer Gade
6 – 9 p.m., St. Thomas All Stars, Upper Main Street
6 – 10 p.m., Cool Session, Emancipation Park
6 – 10 p.m., Aluda DJ, in front of Gold Corner, Waterfront 7 – 10 p.m. Sweeter Band, Palm Passage
7 – 10 p.m., Aktion Band, Rolex Store, Waterfront
Milo's Kings, Raadet's Gade on Main Street
BCB Burning Blazers, Main Street, Royal Dane Mall
Mystical Mocko Jumbies, roaming
St. Thomas Cultural Dancers
Voices of Love
Show Girls.
Back Talk
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