It was a week late but hundreds of people still made the 275th birthday party for the town of Christiansted Friday night. Due to heavy rains last week the Company Street merchants’ party was postponed.
The merchants got together and sponsored the party in celebration of all the commerce and business centered on Company Street since the 1700s.
It was an old fashioned affair for the grand old lady of Caribbean streets who has aged well and still looks as pretty as ever. The sidewalks were illuminated with hundreds of luminaries and the gorgeous scent of the Rangoon creeper filled the air.
The street was blocked off to all motor traffic from Church Street to Queen Cross and candle lit tables and chairs were set up in the middle of the street where people were eating and socializing.
The Santa Cruz Brass Band played old fashioned tunes and Bully & the Kafooners played scratch band music for the party goers dancing and listening pleasure.
Magaly Falcoff and Matt Tanguay said they came to the affair to hear local music that they really enjoy. “ Where else tonight could you have the chance to hear eight people playing live scratch band music?” Tanguay said.
Sylvia’s Kitchen prepared lohnny cakes, chicken legs, saltfish, fungi and kallaloo for purchase. Premier Wines and Spirits gave out complimentary Cruzan Rum samples.
Stephen O’Dea brought along his donkey Eeyore and gave free rides to the children. Old fashioned photos taken by Fritz Henle, circa 1950, were on display at the Maria Henle Studio. All the shops and studios on the block were open and some had special sales for the party.
Sam Dike, from D&D Studio, and an organizer of the event, said the party was fabulous and the attendance was good.
“We are very pleased with the turnout, it really exceeded our expectations,” Dike said.