Dr. Stanley Jacobs addresses crowd during opening ceremony of the 67th Annual Crucian Christmas Festival Village By. Ernice Gilbert for the Virgin Islands Consortium
ST. CROIX — This year's Crucian Christmas Festival Village, named after the legendary Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights, opened on Thursday evening with the traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony and remarks from local dignitaries. As has been the custom, local leaders wished participants seasons greetings and a safe festival season.
Delegate to Congress Stacey Plaskett and the other leaders praised Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary as a band.
Senate President Novelle Francis along with Governor Albert Bryan called for a crime-free season. Mr. Bryan spoke of the rich tradition of the territory and how the USVI has a "triple threat" of festivals and carnivals unlike any other in the Caribbean. "No other place has that. Trinidad has one carnival, Antigua... one Junkanoo in the Bahamas, one August Monday in the BVI," the governor said.
Mr. Stanley was recently given an honorary doctorate by the University of the Virgin Islands for his indelible stamp on the territory's culture. Speaking at the Festival Village, he took some time to thank the legendary band members. "I'd like to thank the assortment of unusual characters known as the Ten Sleepless Knights. We all are very grateful for you all having supported us all this time. Thank you very much," Mr. Stanley said.
The Festival Village will end on January 5.
