The motorcade started at the Frederiksted parking lot and made its way to Blu Bamboo, formerly the New Drive Inn. By. ERNICE GILBERT, V.I. CONSORTIUM
On Sunday, scores of cars, vans and trucks honked their way across the streets of St. Croix, with occupants waving flags of cerulean, gold, black and white – the national emblem of Saint Lucia. The motorcade, organized by United Saint Lucians of St. Croix (USLS), was in honor of Julien Alfred, Olympic champion in the women’s 100m.
Alfred, who brought glory to her country in Paris this summer with Saint Lucia’s first two Olympic medals, again proved her dominance on the track with her maiden Diamond League title on September 13, winning the women's 100m title in Brussels with a time of 10.88 seconds.
Ahead of her official homecoming in Saint Lucia next week, her countrymen and women on St. Croix marked her achievements with a loud celebration of Saint Lucian culture. Along the motorcade route, Consortium cameras captured the sounds of Lucian Soca and Dennery Segment music coming from passing cars and trucks, along with shouted words of admiration and encouragement for the island’s track hero.
The motorcade started at the Frederiksted parking lot and made its way to Blu Bamboo, formerly the New Drive Inn, where attendees gathered for more celebratory events. Organizers were satisfied with the turnout, as an incessant stream of vehicles participated. Next year, the Union of Saint Lucian Organizations will celebrate its 21st anniversary on St. Croix, and organizers say their aim is to have Julien Alfred as a guest. The USLS described the upcoming event as "the culmination of it all."
USLS members include Chairman Cornelius JnBaptiste, Co-chair Andrea Jean-Baptiste, program organizer Luther Renee, MC/performer Edward Bellas, and Sports & Games Organizer Cyril Charles.
In an exclusive interview with the Consortium, Ms. Alfred said that she is always humbled by the intensity of the support she receives from her compatriots. “Just getting the country together, makes me feel proud that I was able to do that,” she said, speaking of her gold and silver Olympic medals.
Back home in Saint Lucia, local officials are preparing to welcome “JuJu”, as she has become known across the globe, starting with a motorcade along the length of the island on September 24 from the Hewanorra International Airport in the south to Gros Islet, Saint Lucia’s northernmost village. Festivities will culminate with Julien Alfred Day – a national holiday on September 27 – featuring a free public concert at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground.
