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UPDATE: 22 vendors support 1st night of Xmas on deCastro St
City Manager Janice E. L. Brathwaite-Edwards had stated before that the event was scaled down but she was still expecting some 25 vendors on the opening night. It was a close enough expectation as 22 vendors showed up and more are expected on the final day, today, December 2, 2017.
Christmas on deCastro Street today starts at midday.
Diehard supporters of Christmas on deCastro Street
Among the vendors were two who started from the first staging of the annual Christmas event- Rita’s Craft and Judith’s Craft and Gifts.
Arita Malone of Rita’s Craft has not missed a single year and even though Hurricane Irma and looters nearly made off with all her craft items she was able to save some to ensure her presence at this year’s 19th annual event.
“The door blew off and unto now I can’t find it. I had to put in a new door. And they steal out some of the things them, like the T-shirts, dresses and different things. Some of the things left behind had my name on it, that’s why they didn’t take them,” Ms Maloney told Virgin Islands News Online.
Judith’s Craft and Gift has also supported from the inception and only missed last year.
According to the City Manager, the first night turned out good and she is optimistic of an exciting evening today.
“I think the majority of the people that were there last night were happy that at least we did something to bring the spirit of Christmas up and it was something to do. We had a lot of children out last night.”
Enjoyed some of them did indeed that the close off time came too early for their liking.
"I must say I was pleasantly surprised but pleased with the turn out here tonight (December 1, 2017),” said one patron Valarie Patterson, who was out with her family of six.
According to the patron, she thoroughly enjoyed the night but was hoping that special consideration would have been given to allow the event to proceed at least to the mid-night hour.
"I say this for the vendors and patrons alike. I hope they (organisers) get the break for tomorrow night (tonight) because this is just a one time go and you can see people really happy to have something like this especially after Irma," she said.
Santa has something for kids & adults
Meanwhile, both children and adults will be on Santa’s list today.
“Usually we have Santa Claus out on Friday and Saturday but this year we didn’t do Santa last night, we gave out gifts, but we doing Santa tonight for sure. Usually a lot more people show up on Saturday night cause they are home in the day doing what they need to do and then Saturday afternoon they come out,” Ms Brathwaite-Edwards commented.
Santa Claus is scheduled to make his grand appearance around 7:00 PM, “because we don’t want to keep the kids out too late. He will be out bringing toys not only for the kids this year but he will be bringing toys for adults too, so it should be a very exciting evening.”
Tonight’s musical entertainment will be offered by The HLSCC Stingray Band, Lashing Dogs, Island Party Band, Fireband Dancers and earlier in the day will see the Althea Scatliffe Choir Group.
See previous article published December 1, 2017
ESHS Drum Corps & EHRLC to benefit from 2017 XMAS on deCastro St
The spirit of the season will be summoned today, December 1, 2017 when Christmas in deCastro kicks off. The 2-day event ends tomorrow December 2, 2017.
Scaled down event
The annual family event, which usually sees a rush of vendors securing spots to draw a nice dollar as hundreds would flock the area, will not be as extensive this year, according to City Manager Ms Janice Brathwaite-Edwards.
“We are aiming for 25 vendors this year, so far we have 15 and we are sure more are going to come. As you know the territory suffered serious damages by the hurricanes this year and most businesses were affected. This year; however, we have mostly new vendors who have signed up and we are happy about that. All in all we are sure that Christmas in deCastro Street will be an enjoyable one for everyone.”
Charities
In the meantime, vendors who have signed up for the celebratory events this year are asked to donate $100 to the city which, according to Ms Brathwaite-Edwards, will be added to others and donated to the Elmore Stoutt High School Drum Corps and the Eslyn Henley Richez Learning Centre.
“They are the two charities that will be benefiting from this year’s charity because as you know they both suffered major loss by hurricanes Irma and Maria. So we are appealing to person to put something however big or small in the donation boxes we will have around.”
The City Manager also said there will be entertainment galore and games for the entire family, “This year Santa will not only be out for the children but Santa will also be out for the adults. It’s a surprise package that we have for the adults.”
The events of both days are set to get started from 11:00 A.M. and into the evening, while adhering to the curfew in place.
Additionally, deCastro Street will remain closed until December 3, 2017.
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