Amid a warm but casual atmosphere, three brothers shared a single honor at the opening ceremony of St. Thomas Carnival Village. The brothers were praised as members of the 1980s popular band, Mandingo Brass.
Organizers of the annual fete named the Village Willis, Vance & Steve Pinney’s Musical Parlor. The dedication was a family affair; each honoree was introduced by one of their children, who told the story of their musical contributions. Then each honoree stood to thank the crowd for turning out on their special evening.
The Village itself put on its best appearance for opening night. Weeks before the opening, Public Works resurfaced the Fort Christian Parking Lot, laying a solid foundation for the booths that formed a three-sided frame around a towering soundstage.
Pageant winners, lawmakers, and members of the Division of Festivals joined Gov. Albert Bryan Jr., Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach and the Pinney Brothers on stage to deliver brief remarks and wish everyone a safe and festive Carnival.
Former V.I. Carnival Prince Kyza Callwood served as Master of Ceremonies; Assistant Tourism Commissioner Alani Henneman gave the opening prayer. Members of the Ivanna Eudora Kean H.S. Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. performed the flag ceremony.
Willis — Mandingo Brass bandleader — shared a list of accomplishments. “We were the first person bus stop jam; the first parking lot jam; the first band making Carnival T-shirts; the band to go to Caribana in Canada; the first V.I. band to play on the steps of the Capitol in Washington, D.C.,” he said.
Friends and relatives relaxed in sling chairs, chatting and enjoying early dinners with cocktails. Near the foot of the sound engineer’s covered stand, St. Thomas resident Elaine Freeman reminisced about Mandingo Brass’ early days.
“The reason I knew them well was because they came Round Deh Field. My brother, Edmond Freeman, was one of the trumpeters at the time,” she said.
Tourism Commissioner Joseph Boschulte expressed satisfaction with the progress being made as the festival’s division staged its sixth Carnival event. “I think it’s good to see our community that lives in the Virgin Islands come out to the event. It’s a natural appreciation because we know how we live, and we go through every hurricane season — we need a chance to unwind,” the commissioner said.
Boschulte added that seeing the number of Virgin Islanders who come home to take part in the fete was a second sign of success.
Festivals Division Director Ian Turnbull added that the reorganized V.I. Carnival was also gaining recognition from their counterparts in the Caribbean region.
Carnival Village is also enjoying support from other local agencies. The Virgin Islands Police Department deployed officers to regulate traffic and promote a safe atmosphere. And Virgin Islands Transit put on evening bus service to help Village goers get where they’re going to and from the fete.
Monday’s musical lineup on the soundstage included Quelbe Resurrection, Farmer Nappy, Nadia Baston, Mic Love, Shaw MP, Lady Mix & Supa Trakz International, along with a performance by the Jam Band.
