Yacht Haven Grande, the Fat Turtle and the V.I. Tourism Department are ushering in the New Year with a Blue Moon Masquerade extravaganza, highlighted by a live performance by the legendary Bunny Wailer.
The full schedule of musical entertainment kicks off at 8 p.m. Thursday and runs until 3 a.m. Friday. Wailer is set to take the stage at Yacht Haven Grande after a brief fireworks display lights up the sky over Long Bay at midnight.
Produced by the renowned Grucci family of New York and Left Lane Productions, the display will last about seven minutes. Boats anchored in the area will be asked to relocate for a brief period, according to a recent press release. No unauthorized boats will be allowed in the firing zone.
Grucci has rung in the New Year at some of the world’s most celebrated hotspots, including Times Square in New York, Las Vegas, Hawaii and Dubai, the release said.
Entertainment for the event also includes DJ Oz and Prince Kalunda, Yuca Roots — a Latin reggae group from Kansas City — and Max Allister, who will be playing "Auld Lang Syne" during the fireworks display.
DJ Oz will close out the event from 2 to 3 a.m.
All Yacht Haven restaurants will be offering special New Year’s Eve menus and packages. Wikked and Grande Cru will also be offering early and late seatings, while Fat Turtle will be operating satellite bars on the Esplanade.
"It’s going to be the biggest New Year’s Eve party St. Thomas has ever seen," said Clovis Tobias, owner of the Fat Turtle.
Yacht Haven Grande Marketing Manager Josalyn Bitterman said Tuesday the marina has been filled to capacity since last week in anticipation of the event.
"We’re so thrilled to feature Bunny Wailer for our third annual New Year’s Eve celebration," she said. "It’s going to be a fabulous event — one not to be missed."
Wristbands are $40 in advance and can be purchased at Fat Turtle, Wikked, Badass Coffee, Hubbly Bubbly, Grande Cru, Bella Vera, Urban Threads on St. Thomas and St. Croix, Connections on St. John, Tom and Jerry Cell Phones at Tutu Park Mall and Caribbean Surf Co.
Residents can also pay $50 at the gate.
