From left to right, a vehicle decorated with Christmas lights during this year's Mobile Lantern Mortocade, and a coconut is peeled during the 7th Annual Coconut Festival. Photo Credit: CHALANA BROWN, DEAR PRODUCTIONS
It seems like only yesterday that the 2022 Mobile Lantern Motorcade — which weaved through several communities on St. Croix bringing music from Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights and endless smiling faces — took place. But a year has passed, and the organizers were back this year on Saturday to usher in the festive season on the Big Island, as St. Croix is affectionately called.
The event is organized by the Crucian Cultural Group. Its main attraction is decorated vehicles driving through the island with music from Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights and the Gentlemen of Jones.
The Coconut Festival, this year being the 7th annual according to organizers, also took place over the weekend, kicking off on Friday with what organizers deemed a "Fine Arts Exhibit", followed by the opening day of the festival on Dec. 2, and the "Taste of Coconut & Family Day" on Dec. 3.
This marks the beginning of what is expected to be a banner year of cultural, celebratory and entertainment events in December and into January. On Dec. 8, the Limpricht Park Tree Lighting takes place in downtown Christiansted from 7-10 p.m. The same night, Wine in the Warehouse will be held at Bohlke International Airways from 6-9 p.m. On Saturday, Dec. 9, residents across the island will descend on the boardwalk in Christiansted for the annual Boat Parade, a fixture during St. Croix's festive season, with thousands coming to witness decorated boats and a spectacular fireworks display at the end.
While countless events will take place in the interim, the season kicks into high gear with the opening of the Crucian Christmas Festival on Dec. 26.
