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CRUZ BAY — At Wednesday’s vibrant St. John Festival Parade, U.S. Virgin Islands Governor Kenneth Mapp and Lieutenant Governor Osbert Potter paid tribute to St. John first responders for their valiant hurricane recovery efforts.
The Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Festival Committee Members showered praise on this year’s Grand Marshals during the parade.
“This is an honor well deserved. You are all doing a great job. Thank you for all that you do,” Governor Mapp declared.
This year’s colorful entries included the Dynamic Dancers, the Love City Pan Dragons Steel Band, the St. John School of the Arts and the Gypsies.
“I am really happy to be here. I have always enjoyed participating in St. John Festival. It is not too long, nor too short – just the best of the best to keep the crowd really entertained and in celebration mode,” the Governor remarked, adding that Virgin Islanders have a lot to celebrate, especially “with all the good news for the Territory, such as the government’s agreement with Limetree Bay Terminals to restart the refinery on St. Croix and create hundreds of new jobs.”
“Sessionsville” Festival Village wrapped up the last night of entertainment with music from the Village Honorees, Cool Sessions Brass, Xtreme Band, Farmer Nappy, Blaxx and Kes the Band. Many lined the Cruz Bay harbor to view the spectacular fireworks display.
Governor Mapp commended the resilience of St. Johnians, reaffirmed by the two devastating Category 5 hurricanes last September.
“The community has come a very long way since last September. St. John, you took the brunt of the blows, but the resiliency of the people of St. John, “Love City” has shone through with the rebuilding of this (strong) community. The Festival Parade and all events are wonderful, the visitors are here and we are really having a great time,” he said, praising the community for a safe, incident-free Festival.