CARNIVAL CULTURAL FOOD FAIR SHOWCASES VIRGIN ISLANDS CREATIVITY

Virgin Islanders from home and abroad, along with visitors to the Territory, filled Emancipation Garden for the 66th annual food fair held every Wednesday of Carnival week. The arts and crafts and the food were especially sweet after very challenging months for the Islands.

Governor Kenneth E. Mapp and Lieutenant Governor Osbert E. Potter joined Carnival Queen Ji’Kelle K. Michael and her “royal court” on the gazebo for the opening of the fair, saluting its honoree, the St. Thomas/St. John Woodworkers Society Inc., for its members’ compelling artwork and contributions to the community.

After the ribbon cutting, the program began with remarks from Lillian Moolenaar, mistress of ceremonies, followed by rhythmic twirling and dancing from the Sebastien Majorettes. The judges then made their circuit around the fair to determine which were the best arts and crafts, dishes and plants.

Woodworkers banded together in 2005 in the St. Thomas/St. John Woodworkers Society to showcase accomplished carvings from the very best artisans. Together, they refined their craft and showcased their art in workshops, taught after-school programs and held craft demonstrations for many organizations in the Territory. They won Best in Show in 2015 and 2017 at the Carnival Cultural Food Fair so it was no great surprise that these artists were this year’s honorees.

2018 winners included Gladys Abraham School’s Vincent Henley, in the plants category, Ronelle Allenberg for produce, and Caprice Robles with her delicious johnny cakes in the special food category, while Yolanda Morton won in the arts and crafts arena.

“This food fair gives us a unique opportunity to sample some of the delicacies that we weren’t able to sample for the whole year … especially whelks and rice,” Lieutenant Governor Potter said.