A Cultural Roogoodoo for Carnival 2002
This year, St. Thomas Carnival celebrated its 50th year from 1952 to 2002. What a celebration! In1952, Ron de Lugo, along with a group of individuals decided it time again to have a carnival and it has continued since then. It rained that year as it did this year during the adult parade. But the rain does not stop the Carnivals.
The carnival village opened on April 22, 2002 with a ribbon cutting ceremony including Governor Charles Turnbull, Lt. Governor Gerard Luz James II, Carnival Queen Cubie-Ayah George, Carnival King Kory Davis, Carnival Princess Reshai Corneiro and Prince Akeem Warner and others. There were 36 booths to provide food and drinks for everyone and rides for the kids. Music was blasting in the air. The village was dedicated to Sarah Harrigan and Ismay Frett. This year the King of the Bands was Darryl Donovan Sr. of the Infernos and the Queen of the Bands was Cheryl Boynes-Jackson of Hugga Bunch. There was Latin Night with Gilberto Santa Rosa's orchestra and Liquid Sounds at the Lionel Roberts Stadium. On April 24, the Food Fair showcased the islands’ best local cooks, along with the arts and crafts and produce.
J’ouvert had St. Thomas rocking early in the morning on April 25. "What ah party!"
On April 26 the children took over the streets with the Children’s Parade. Many children participated with thousands of onlookers lining the streets. Then on April 27 the adult parade was featured in all its glamour and vibrant colors. What a sight to see! Rain poured, but it did not stop this parade as thousands viewed this massive display of art. The length of the parade stood the test of time as the troops passed by in the street lit by street lights in the night. There were entries from many different islands including St. Croix and Puerto Rico. And to end, there were the eye catching- ear popping – fantastic fireworks at 10:00 p.m. It was great celebration of 50 years of Carnival! In other words, it was Hot! Hot! Hot
