Friendship, food, and festivity were the order of the day at the Monsanto Marine Terminal in Crown Bay Wednesday, the scene of the 2024 St. Thomas Carnival Food Fair. Hundreds of Virgin Islanders from home and abroad came to celebrate, many dressed in colorful attire.
This year’s fair was dedicated to retired Lockhart School teacher Sally George, winner of the 2016 Best Crafts Award. George became known for her handmade Karibbean Kids dolls. “I want to thank the Division of Festivals for this prestigious award. I’m totally surprised, which makes it even sweeter,” the honoree said.
Since retiring from teaching several years ago, George said she devoted much of her time to doll making and teaching her art to the youth. “You know you picked the right honoree when all they do is get up and thank everybody. That is a person who has given and continues to give,” said Gov. Albert Bryan Jr.
Tourism Commissioner Joseph Boschulte welcomed all who came to enjoy the fair, including the passengers on board the Wonder of the Seas, docked at the Monsanto cruise ship dock.
With the formalities out of the way, it was time to browse the fairgrounds, sample food and drinks, and peruse the produce and crafts. Over at the display sponsored by the Waste Management Authority, Director of Communications Lorna Minkoff sorted out the seedlings.
St. Thomas Ambassadorial Carnival Queen Majestik Estrada-Petersen relaxed among the fairgoers. When a photographer asked for a shot of her with the regular people, Estrada-Petersen said, “I’m a regular person.”
By then, it was lunchtime. A line of patrons queued up by Dynasty Cuisine, where cooks from St. Croix dished up the delicacies. Kianna Ireland ticked off the menu items:
“Lobster and shrimp lasagne; lobster and shrimp mac and cheese; regular mac and cheese; shrimp, mussels in escabeche sauce; seafood salad, boiled fish, fried fish, ginger-guava barbeque chicken,” Ireland said.
While over at a nearby stand, Joel Fox had a shorter wait while Osaira Huygue spooned seasoned peas onto a flatbread.
Lighter fare awaited the line of patrons waiting for frosty fracos. Some brought umbrellas to shield them from the midday sun.
But as she stood with a friend, soaking in the scene, Denise Dominique of St. Thomas said her greatest pleasure wasn’t the food; it was “meeting people I haven’t seen for years.”
