“It’s always hello and goodbye.” That’s how one bystander characterized the annual parade on Labor Day in Coral Bay, St. John. Step away from the parade route to buy a cool drink, and you might miss the whole thing.
Although this year’s was short, the Love City Core Squad’s presence made it particularly sweet. Led by Ceamba Amory, the troupe featured twirlers, pom-pom girls, and clowns ranging in age from two to 15.
They were followed by St. John Carpenters bringing the V.I. flag, who were followed by St. John Department Police Chief Clayton Brown.
Dockside Dinghy towed their “Pirates and Princesses” in a float that could literally float – a dinghy loaded with cute kids. The adults towing the dinghy provided the bubble machines, noisemakers and a bit of rowdiness.
Parade viewers brought their own brand of fun, including Gail George and Kris Robinson, who posed like the flamingos on their dresses.
The Love City Pan Dragons provided live steel pan music from the ball field, where Love City Car Show served as the center of entertainment for the rest of the day.
Alston “Big Al” Smith, who started the car show as a fundraiser 10 years ago with Jay Swartley, said he was hoping for a hundred entries by the afternoon.
By noon, more than a dozen colorful VWs lined the back edge of the ball field as more continued to arrive.
Children and adults wandered around the field admiring some extraordinary vehicles, including the vibrant “Tangerine,” which was parked under its own matching tent.
Henry Hinkle brought his 1986 CJ-7 Jeep, distinctly decorated with skeletons and a stuffed parrot. “It’s kind of an island thing,” he said. Hinkley rebuilt the jeep himself on St. John and still uses it on the road.
Malcolm Greene showed off his Red’z Party Bus. During the day, he gives island tours on St. Thomas, but at night, he provides a party-on-wheels with a super sound system, disco balls and a mirrored ceiling.
The Love City Car Show donated funds this year to Carla Sewer’s summer reading program and to St. John’s LRVI FC Castaways Soccer Club. “We provide scholarships so that all kids on St. John can play,” said Swartley. The event “is all about community, music, food, quelbe and cars.”
This year, Smith and Swartley were assisted by Ric Ortiz, who said, “I’ve got two little ones growing up here, and I want them to have things to do.”
The car show wasn’t the only fundraiser going on in Coral Bay. Members of the Emmaus Moravian Church were holding a food sale to raise $60,000 to complete the rebuild of “the little manse,” tucked between the historic church (on the left) and the “big manse” (on the right) now under construction.
The historic Emmaus Church and the “big manse” lost their roofs in Hurricane Irma. Church officials are now getting ready to advertise for Requests for Proposals to repair the church roof. For the past seven years, parishioners have been holding services in a tent. The “little manse” will serve as their temporary church while construction is underway.
St. Croix Source
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