ST. CROIX — The Crucian Coconut Festival’s third annual event on Sunday saw a stronger turnout than in past years, and a wider variety of activities.
Held at the Historical Bethlehem Sugar Factory, this year’s event, titled “Good Coconut Karma”, had more entertainment (Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights, Doc Petersen and the Toni Romano Band, Liquid Sounds and DJ Swain). There were also some fun activities not included in last year’s festival, a standout being the Coconut Jelly Scoop Competition, which sees participants removing jelly from coconut shells with a spoon to place it in a bag. There was also a Coconut Palms Obstacle Course Competition with segments for adults and children, as well as a course with both age categories.
Yet while this year did not disappoint on the coconut activities front, improvements are needed relative to coconut eats.
Nonetheless, the third annual affair was bigger and better, and kept eventgoers entertained. “Every year we try to bring to you something new, and I believe you will be pleased with our additions,” wrote Crucian Coconut Festival President Percival Edwards, in a note to supporters found in the event’s pamphlet.
Virgin Islanders supported with strong numbers, too, as a constant stream of individuals kept the festival active, and the sustained flow of entertainment held them on location.
Aside from the fun and entertainment, there were educational opportunities, among them a coconut aquaponics exhibit by Fresh Ministries, coconut tests display by the University of the Virgin Islands’ Cooperative Extension Services, a coconut-in-every-product display by Errol Chichester, and coconut dessert cooking demonstrations by UVI’s 4-H Club.
Feature Image Credit: Cruselda Roberts for VI Consortium.
Tags: 2018 coconut festival