Carnival fans from far and wide filled Veterans Drive Thursday morning to celebrate J’ouvert. Revelers tramped behind live bands rolling east toward Carnival Village; some breaking off from the crowd as bands reached the stopping point at Vendor’s Plaza, running back to join crowds following the next band coming up.
By tradition, J’ouvert morning trampers are supposed to show up in their bedclothes. Many instead show up in costume, wearing masks or bathing suits. A trio perched atop a parked water truck, armed with a hose, may have prompted beach attire.
Melissa Romig from Arizona dressed in red from head to toe, complete with batwings. “I ordered this from a lady in Ireland. She shipped it to me,” Romig said. Rebecca Braun, her cousin, said they both enjoyed the musical tramp.
Up by Fort Christian, Bernice Flavian from St. Lucia said she enjoyed J’ouvert back home but Thursday was her first St. Thomas experience. Back home, she said, revelers spend the night at parties then take to the road by early morning. “I’m used to going straight through, but here they start a little later,” Flavian said.
And while it seemed the fun would end when the band reached the finish line, many found ways to keep the party going.
The most popular move took revelers into Carnival Village, where a deejay pumped up the volume. Bernard Douglas Jr. was among those stopping by a booth serving breakfast.
“J’ouvert was amazing. They kept it short — just a few bands — that means people could really congregate and really fellowship,” he said.
And with thousands of people still tramping up the road, an announcer in the village told those cooling off that it was almost time for the Wet Fete, a musical jam to dance under more water spray.
