From VI Consortium’s viewpoint, it would not be a stretch to say that the 2014-2015 Crucian Christmas Carnival events have so far been successful. From the festivities at the Romney’s World Village, the Queen Show before them, and now the Food, Arts and Crafts Fair, which took place on Tuesday at the Eliza James McBean Clock Tower in Frederiksted. The event saw throngs of residents and visitors alike enjoying the many offerings of local vendors, themselves dressed in cultural wear, serving both popular and rear local dishes, and dancing to the sounds of Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights and local steel pan orchestra, Rising Stars.
The mood was festive in every corner. Smiles engulfed faces as the people gazed at multiple vendor offerings, wanting nothing more than to have a taste of curry goat, pâté, bullfoot soup, conch roti or any of the mouthwatering local dishes on sale at the fair.
Part of the Carnival festivities, the Food, Arts and Craft Fair started at 12 p.m. and ran until 6 p.m. Although “arts” and “craft” make up the event’s title, vendors served mostly food, with only a few booths offering other items.
VI Consortium spoke to Sandra Douglas, a first-time vendor at the fair, to get a sense of how people were spending their money: “So far, the event has been good,” Douglas said, “great atmosphere, great food and fun.”
In relation to sales, Douglas said they were able to sell most of what was prepared with about two more hours before the fair’s closing, adding that she would participate next year because the response this year has been exceptional.
And so goes the story of vendors spread across the makeshift fair grounds at the Clock Tower, evident by the incessant stream of people forming lines to buy food, arts and craft.
VI Consortium captured the event in pictures. Have a look below.