St. John’s J’ouvert Morning couldn’t come soon enough for hundreds of party lovers gathering outside Festival Village in Cruz Bay. While truck-mounted bands lined up near Mongoose Junction Shopping Center, a local motorist rolled his speaker-customized car into place near the Post Office and cranked it up.
A few feet away, across the street from the Village, a water truck sent an arc of water skyward, landing on a group of dancers bouncing to the beat. Spectators lining the sidewalks watched them enjoy an early morning bath.
It was hard to say who was having more fun, the dancers or the folks standing on the water truck, leveling the water hose. The temptation to douse those standing and watching proved too great a task. Sassy ladies pushing back bumper got soggy stamps of approval, sometimes more than once.
Around the corner, at the Boynes Ferry Dock, St. Thomians in skinny jeans and sneakers, shorts, and fishnet stockings made their way to the fete. Several minutes later, the main event started rolling towards the gate at Cruz Bay Creek.
Three live bands formed a musical caravan, snaking uphill to the Cruz Bay traffic circle. At first, the crowd seemed more interested in dancing under showers. By the time the second band made the distance, the uphill march pursued; at first, a few, then by the hundreds.
It was a little more than the regular Saturday morning outdoor faith meeting near the Amore Building was prepared for. An older couple scurried out of the way when they saw the J’ouvert massive approach. The modest congregation of five seated men faded away as the tramp passed by the laundry and nail salon as they headed to the wastewater plant and the Port Authority gravel lot.
There the trucks turned, guided by watchful cops. For some of the turns, the sound truck had to take a wide swing. But the dancers didn’t seem to mind. Neither did the hose-wielding water truck drivers stationed along the tree-lined route.
By the time the rolling fete banked the corner at the public tennis court and back to the traffic circle, about a thousand dancers were still in step, ready for more. Heading back downhill the way they came, soca music spurred them on toward Festival Village again. A handful of booth operators — including Village Honoree Drinker’s Paradise’ville — opened their counters, serving food and drinks.
Retired hairdresser Leeann Oquendo said she thought the J’ouvert went well but said she was caught by surprise as it appeared. Most years, the fete is held the morning of the July 4th parade, but as soon as she heard it was Saturday morning, Oquendo said she left home to join the jump-up.
