Showing support for this year’s village honoree, the Gypsies themselves entered the parking lot wearing bright red shirts and headscarves, and played tambourines during a mini parade behind Judy Watson.
Joined by Lieutenant Governor Osbert E. Potter, 2018 Carnival Queen Jikelle Kiara Michael, 2018 Carnival Prince and Princess Maike Caracciolo and Ta’Mya Davis and honoree Judy Watson, Governor Kenneth E. Mapp officially cut the ribbon across the main entrance.
The team posed for pictures with attendees, as the Governor congratulated the Carnival Royalty and welcomed the many visitors and Virgin Islanders who returned home for the festivities.
The Governor presented Watson with a plaque, flowers, a solid gold St. Croix-made pendant representing the Virgin Islands with beautiful artwork by St. John artist Livy Hitchcock. He shared fond memories about his long-standing personal relationship with Watson’s family.
Lt. Governor Potter, Virgin Islands Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett, Senate President Myron Jackson and V.I. Police Department Commissioner Delroy Richards, Sr. also made presentations.
“You’ve been around a long time and you have celebrated our culture for many years,” the Governor said. “We see the generational movement of the young Gypsies to the older and it’s still going strong. To Judy, the rest of the Watson family and the Gypsies, I say congratulations and thank you for being rock solid traditionalists and holding up Virgin Islands culture to the highest esteem. It’s an honor that’s well deserved.”
Watson has chaired the Gypsy Troupe since 2012. Her parents, Aracely and Gerard, were instrumental in organizing the first revived carnival and participating as Gypsies since 1952.
“Many people ask us how we have managed to stay together so long and the truth is, when you join the Gypsy Troupe, you become part of the Gypsy family,” Watson said. “Everyone knows each other, you don’t just pick up your costume and that’s it.”
Watson thanked everyone for the honor, including her colleagues in the Gypsy Troupe, the Carnival Committee and family members present. She encouraged everyone to join the nightly celebration at Gypsyville, which features entertainment from artists, including Trinidadians Fayann Lyons and Kes The Band, Triple Kay from Dominica, and Antigua’s Burning Flames.
In the spirit of embracing the Carnival theme, “Embrace Our Culture, Music and Cuisine for Carnival 2018”, there was added excitement in the air, especially for all chefs on Fridaynight. Traditionally, each vendor looks forward to hearing the judges’ verdicts about the best food or booth design. There are 33 booths in this year’s village with owners and team members appealing to every appetite, cooking up everything from johnny cakes and desserts to curry chicken.
The Booth Winners, who won cash prizes this year, were announced during the ceremony:
Booth 18 – Winner $1,500 – Owner, Henry Alexander
Liston Fahie, graphic designer for many of the booths, says he paints up to a dozen of them every year and ties most of his painted booth images to the Carnival theme. He said it’s a process that does not just begin with paint, but a personal conversation with the honoree.
“I spoke with Judy, looked at some pictures and had conversations with the family and troupe members and from that, I came up with many design ideas,” said Fahie. “It’s a lot of work. I have been doing it from the ‘70s and still going strong. I love it!”