Christmas is one week away and St. John is gearing up for its arrival! Here is a list of upcoming holiday events…
Sunday, December 17th
The Governor’s Children’s Christmas Party has been rescheduled for this evening from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Franklin Powell Park, which is located across from the ferry dock in Cruz Bay. All children up to age 12 can receive a present during this event.
Wednesday, December 20th
Dust off your tacky sweaters and your tinsel, because time for The Tap Room’s annual sweater party and bake-off! The party starts at 7 p.m. and continues until it ends! Bring a dozen or so cookies and/or baked goods to be judged and enjoy! Don’t forget to wear your most festive gear!
The All Island Holiday Party, more commonly called The Prom, was rescheduled for 9 p.m. on Wednesday night after this weekend’s soaking rains. The party starts at 9 p.m. in the courtyard near Sun Dog Cafe.
Thursday, December 21st
Sing St. John will hold its 6th annual Holiday Celebration in Cruz Bay’s Frank Powell Park on Thursday, December 21st, from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Featuring the St. John Recovery Choir, the event is free and includes songs for Christmas, Hanukkah, Solstice, and the New Year.
The program begins with performances by the Bethany-Emmaus Moravian Joint Choir and the Nazareth Evangelical Lutheran Church Choir, and it concludes with a rousing all-choir rendition of Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus.”
The Ocama Youth Choir will bring their voices to the bandstand, and the Love City Pan Dragons will fill the park with holiday steel band music.
The event includes a community carol sing, a necessary element for Kristen Carmichael-Bowers, director of Sing St. John.
“It doesn’t feel like the holidays to me until we have had a good old-fashioned carol sing,” Carmichael-Bowers said. ”It’s so good to be among friends and neighbors of all ages, feeling a sense of wonder at that special connection. When we join our different voices together, we produce such a joyful and satisfying tapestry of sound. And when we add the lights and the beautifully decorated park to the experience, ah! It’s a bit of heaven!”
Saturday, December 23rd
The Love City Pan Dragons are holding a Christmas concert to help raise funds for a summer trip to Antigua. The Pan Dragons are scheduled to perform in Antigua Panorama with the Cool & Smooth Ebonites, the home band of their instructor and arranger, Ikema Dyer. Ikema plays steel pan at the Windmill Bar quite often, so chances are, you’ve had the opportunity to see him perform. The event costs just $15 and will feature passed apps and a cash bar. It is being held at 5 p.m. at St. John School of the Arts.
You can purchase tickets via Paypal at www.paypal.me/lovecitypandragons or via Venmo @lovecitypandragons. Please include your name, phone number, and email when you purchase your ticket. Looking to support this trip? You can simply send a donation via either PayPal or Venmo too.
Sunday, December 24th
I am very sad to share that Santa will not be arriving by ferry as usual. This is an event sponsored by Caneel Bay Resort, and they have decided not to do it this year. I think it goes without saying, but EHI Acquisition (the firm that operated the hotel at Caneel Bay), you are getting a boatload of coal this holiday season.
However, over in Coral Bay, the first annual Coral Bay Holiday Boat Parade will begin at 4:30 p.m. when Santa arrives to greet the children. His visit will be followed by a snowball fight at the Johnny Lime volleyball courts. The boat parade starts at 6 p.m. and there will be live music afterward at Johnny Lime and Salty Mongoose.
A BIG THANKS to our friends in Coral Bay for stepping up and holding this new event for the kids!
I don’t know about you, but I LOVE Christmas time in the islands! Have a great day everyone!
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