While only in its third year, Reef Jam is starting to feel like a tradition. The musical fundraiser to celebrate St. Croix reefs had vehicles parked on both sides of the road on the West End a mile north and south of the event centered at Rainbow at Rhythms.
The white sandy beach was crowded with several hundred people, and there were numerous boats off the shore.
“This is something we can all come together for, taking care of our reefs,” said John Farchetti, of the East End Marine Park.
“We are here to support Reef Jam,” said Colleen Sullivan, president of the St. Croix Recycling Association. She added that volunteers in the association’s tent were there to promote recycling.
The volunteers were often asked why there was not more recycling in the territory. Their answer: “It is coming.”
The lament of many of the workers in the environmental groups represented, such as St. Croix Environmental Association, was “Boy, is it hot.”
This fit well with the V. I. Energy Office’s display, which focused on Global Warming. The office offered prizes such as school folders, mugs and light bulbs to those passing a Global Climate Change quiz.
Mingling with the crowd were various senatorial candidates and Delegate to Congress Donna M. Christensen.
The Labor Day weekend event included many more scheduled activities than previous years, and there was always music.
The event kicked off at 1 p.m. with music by Deanna Brown and a beach hike with Olasee Davis; at 1:30 there was a game entitled “Beach Tings: Take it or Leave it?”
Half an hour later, Steve Cohen, a teacher at St. Croix Central High School, received complete attention from a dozen youngsters as he dissected a squid and told his audience about its lifestyle in the ocean.
Hourly raffle drawings were also part of the program.
Other highlights included music by Marisol y los Drunk Dumplins and a snorkel clinic with gear provided.
A Turtle Race with a track marked out in the sand with green plastic turtles attracted a dozen or so participants.
While many of the environmental groups began packing up their gear around 5 p.m., the party was just beginning for others.
Music by local favorite Kurt Schindler was still on the agenda as was a beach cleanup and a speech by Diane Capehart, president of the V.I. Resource Conservation and Development Council.
The evening concluded with music by Fyah Train.
