By 10 a.m., the parade route was lined with hundreds; by 4 p.m., thousands converged crowding King Street with folding chairs and Buddhoe Park with coolers full of beer and rum.

Around noon, the first princess troupes stepped off from the Claude O. Markoe Elementary School. Seven hours later, the final troupes neared the end of the parade route at Fort Frederik, putting on their best performance of the day for the judges.

Shirifa Browne danced and twirled for three hours, but it wasn’t until she hit the reviewing station, that she really got her groove on. Browne, a member of the Sparkle Lite Twilers, said she had a great time and felt like her troupe did amazing.

“My favorite part is always the end, when we get to the judges – then we really dance,” she said, smiling.

The sun remained shining throughout the day, much like the thick happy crowd, many of whom wore constant smiles as they watched shimmering dancers pulse their rhythmic bodies to the beat of music. Colors were radiant. Turquoises, orangey reds, and silvery purples flowed down the street, accompanying by steel bands playing calypso tunes.

Greg Nelson and his partner, Sue Winslade, said they’ve been coming for the last four years, and they both said the parade was great, but it gets better as the day moves on.

“The parade is so long and it just builds with strength,” Nelson said. “It gets crazier as time moves on.”

CHANT’s West End Masquerader’s bring some traditional Crucian culture.

Every troupe seemed to bring cheers, but the longest and loudest troupes were the crowd favorites.

The Simply Sophisticated Fun Troupe brought ringing applause as they twirled their flags, donning feathered hats, sequined tops, and elaborate tails.

The Rising Stars Steel Band generated massive movement. When they passed, the crowd bounced and jumped, sweating as they danced to the band’s sweet sounds.

One of the largest troupes, Lockhart & Associates “The Settlers,” were dressed as warriors, with brilliant pink, yellow, and turquoise feathers sprouting high above their heads in elaborate headdress-style.

Wanda Belardo has come every year, and sits in the same location near the reviewing station to get the best view. She said she was excited to see her 18-year-old daughter, Ashley J. Garcia, who was part of the Lockhart troupe.

Jacob Johnston, who was visiting from Kansas, said he had never seen so many costumed people in one location.

“This is one hell of a party, I’m having a blast, and the people are amazing – the costumes, just unbelievable,” Johnston said.

One St. Croix resident, Mr. Ferguson who declined to give his first name, said he had been coming to the parade for 38 years, and he was never disappointed. Although it was “a little slow,” Ferguson said it was still a great parade.

“I have a few favorites: the Mocko Jumbies, the Steel Band, and I love to see the ladies enjoy themselves,” Ferguson said.

The Crucian Heritage and Nature Tourism West End Masqueraders brought traditional culture with a small five-member troupe. Heads tilted back as the Mocko Jumbie troupe danced sky-high in awkward unison.

The Gentlemen of Jones troupe brought old school style for a tribute to their 60th Anniversary. They were led by Delegate to Congress Donna M. Christensen, and wore fashionable white suits and blue shirts stamped with bowties.

Lockhard & Associates “The Settlers” Troupe.

Jaisa Christensen, who was visiting from Toronto, Canada, said she thought the parade was amazing. She started walking at noon, and was in Buddhoe Park by 3 p.m., not even a little tired. Her favorite part of the parade was the princesses and the Gentleman of Jones troupe.

“I think it’s pretty cool that a U.S. Congresswoman and I share the last name – maybe we’re related, who knows,” she said.

As always, the slow moving parade ended after the sun went down; the final troupes crossed by the reviewing station just after 6:30 p.m.

This home is completely furnished and ready for you to move in. There is a  lot of relaxing and entertaining areas on front gallery and spacious patio around pool.

BEST OF ALL, this is a green home and runs on a solar grid with back up and inverter systems. That’s right, almost no Wapa bills! Central, convenient location with fenced yard. Lots of house for the money.

$399,000

MLS #11-2103

Property Details

Property Photos (click on any picture to see a larger slideshow view)

Contact Us

Perched on the top of the hill, this location is as serene as you can get.  The morning sunrise, the gorgeous views, the peace and quiet will make it that you never want to come down from your hilltop retreat!

This well built 1 bedroom, 2 bath villa sits on 1.2 acres surrounded by lush tropical gardens.  Both bathrooms have outdoor showers with  handpainted murals and one has a outdoor tub for two!!  So enjoy the stars at night while you take a soak.  Morning walks along the mosaic pebbled pathway through the fragrant garden is a perfect way to begin the day or meditation/yoga on the lower deck with a view or coffee on the upper deck while watching the sunrise – whichever it is – you will love this location!

The interior of this tranquil top of the hill villa is filled with handpicked Bali teak furniture that are included in the price of this home!  Enter to gorgeous antique carved Balinese doors to two large walk in closets, windows of mahogany and South American cedar, high ceilings with crown molding, marble kitchen countertop on mahogany cabinets with the perfect island, Balinese vanities in the bathrooms with decorative sinks.  The outside is just as enchanting with carved gingerbread, fun doorways and sitting areas throughout the property!  Enjoy lush mature landscaping on the 1.2 acres, giving you plenty of room for more lovely trees and tropical plants or to expand your living space.

Solar hot water in the main house, on demand hot water in the bedroom cottage, great breeze throughout the year, craft/sewing room below the bedroom, utility/laundry room below the main house, separate cistern and water systems for each building, privacy fence, great neighborhood and so much more!!

$479,000

MLS #12-37

Property Details

Property Photos (click on any picture to see a larger slideshow view)

Contact Us

“This is exciting new air service that comes at a time when we’re looking forward to welcoming a greater number of travelers from Puerto Rico and beyond,” Assistant Tourism Commissioner Monique Sibilly-Hodge said to Jet Blue representatives at Monday’s inaugural ceremonies.

“Our hospitality industry has been eagerly awaiting your arrival. Your passengers will find that our hotels, resorts, attractions, and stores are ready to welcome you, and we are committed to a continued partnership that will help boost our economic development here in the territory,” Sibilly-Hodge added.

Passengers aboard Jet Blue’s first flight paid only $10 for the trip to St. Thomas Monday, and officials said it was just the beginning of a variety of deals the airline will be offering to passengers. The announcement of Jet Blue’s service to Puerto Rico comes at a time when the fate of American Eagle, which runs daily between the two territories, is still uncertain.

According to Brandon Nelson, Jet Blue’s vice president and associate general counsel, the airline will be offering twice daily flights from St. Thomas to San Juan’s Luis Munoz Marin International Airport, and a once daily flight from St. Croix. Passengers will be able to book a round trip for $39 each way until Dec. 31, for travel between Jan. 5 and Feb. 15, 2012.

Seasonal service to Boston’s Logan International Airport will also be offered starting Dec. 15, with at least five weekly departures on the southbound flight, and through San Juan on the northbound flight, Nelson said.

Speaking about the features Jet Blue offers – including more leg room and comfortable seats – Nelson also said that Jet Blue’s 14,000 customer friendly employees will also have a hand in giving passengers a taste of the “best product in the industry.”

Jet Blue’s Embraer 190 aircraft (E190) will operate from San Juan, while flights to Boston will be made with the company’s Airbus A320 fleet.

With the addition of St. Thomas and St. Croix to the schedule, Jet Blue now has 70 destinations across the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean, Nelson said.

Lieutenant Governor Gregory R. Francis also spoke about the importance of bringing Jet Blue to St. Croix, especially during the ongoing Festival season.

“The addition of these flights is tremendously important, as they represent the addition of more than 88,000 seats to the territory annually,” he said. “This new service will have a positive and wide spread benefit, first in terms of the impact on the tourism industry and the increased potential for visitors to the territory, and second because of the revenue that will be realized by our hotels, stores and businesses.”

Francis said Jet Blue also welcomed its first flight to St. Croix Monday. Passengers on the tarmac on both islands were given a warm Caribbean welcome, as dancing mocko jumbies and steel pan players greeted them right off the plane.

By James Gardner — December 12, 2011

It is .80 acre with two approaches, one on a paved road in this nice neighborhood. The lot sits high with a great view of the Caribbean Sea. Build your dream home on it and live happily ever after!

$92,000

MLS #11-1922

Property Details

Property Photos (click on any picture to see a larger slideshow view)

Contact Us

$189,000

MLS #11-1937

Property Details

Property Photos (click on any picture to see a larger slideshow view)

Contact Us

$685,000 Reduced

MLS #11-1810

Property Details

Property Photos (click on any picture to see a larger slideshow view)

Contact Us

$87,500

MLS #11-1676

Property Details

Property Photos (click on any picture to see a larger slideshow view)

Contact Us

$58,000

MLS #11-1751

Property Details

Property Photos (click on any picture to see a larger slideshow view)

Contact Us

$125,000

MLS #11-1710

Property Details

Property Photos (click on any picture to see a larger slideshow view)

Contact Us