Frederiksted Bustles with Activity as Tart Wars 2024 Unites Community, Bringing Out Thousands

With marketing so effective that it became a community-driven effort, Tart Wars — organized by those behind the popular Facebook page West Gyul — saw a turnout so great on Saturday that it rivaled the bustling streets of Frederiksted during Village nights of the Crucian Christmas Festival season. People of all ages and backgrounds, including those who rarely attend such events, made their way to Frederiksted almost on impulse due to the highly effective marketing campaign. In the days leading up to the event, it seemed as if every Virgin Islander connected to Facebook, and even those from other Caribbean islands — as tart is a Caribbean-wide dessert — engaged in friendly banter about which tart flavor was the best: coconut, guava, or pineapple. This excitement spilled over to Fort Frederik, Buddhoe Park, and Midre Cummings Playground in Frederiksted, where thousands mingled, patronized vendors, and fervently defended their favorite tart. Groups of individuals wearing shirts matching ...