St. John Carnival questions

SoCaTraveler · Post by **SoCaTraveler** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 1:11 pm

Hi everyone,

Our family of 4 will be staying on St. Thomas for 8 nights the latter part of June. We are planning to come over to St. John on Fri. 6/ 22 - Sun. 6/24 (returning via ferry to STT each evening).

What can we expect during this timeframe, as I see Carnival will be going on at the same time? Will people be in town in Cruz Bay, and not at the beaches or other parts of the island? What about parking?

The carnival events seem to be in the evening on 6/22 and 6/23, so we'll be on our way back to STT by then. But on Sun. 6/24, it looks like there are lots of activities during the day (food and crafts fairs, music, etc.). Is there anything in particular our kids (ages 16 and 12) would enjoy that day? Hubby is a big music fan so I'd like to find out the scoop on that, as well.

Thanks!

SoCaTraveler · Post by **SoCaTraveler** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 1:41 pm

Oh, another question...

Are there many day trippers that come over from STT just for Carnival, or are most people that are there for Carnival staying on island? For us, it's just coincidental.

If there are a lot of day trippers, maybe we should come over to STJ on a couple of non-Carnival event days, for fewer crowds (especially on the ferries). If most people are on island anyway, then it probably won't matter.

promoguy · Post by **promoguy** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 2:26 pm

go to my photo site for some pix of carnival
www.pbase.com/promoguy101

It's a great fun time. There's a parade on the 4th and fireworks at night. During the four/five day lead up to the fifth there is a carnival village that opens and has lots of music going to the early morning. Morning of the 4th there is j'overt is you're into getting up early.

It gets crowded in CB on the 4th and the streets around the ferry dock up to the texaco station and road leading out to North Shore road are closed.

The ferry schedule is increased since lots of folks from STT, locals come over for the festivities especially the music in the village. Ferry actually runs till 2.00 a.m. to get people back.

MrsCARolph · Post by **MrsCARolph** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 2:58 pm

Promoguy: You must be talking about the 4th of July and Emancipation Day carnival.

You have some cool pictures from that parade! We'll be in STJ during the first week of July, and it looks like it will be a lot of fun! We were kind of thinking that we might skip out on the festivities one day and enjoy the beaches while they're not so crowded. We're staying close to Cruz Bay at the Estate Lindholm, so I hope we'll be able to drive out to the other parts of the island with all the roads closed for the parade!

Thanks for the info.

promoguy · Post by **promoguy** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 3:32 pm

Yes, talking about the 4th of July celebration. The only day the roads are tied up in CB is on the 4th for the parade. Other than that there is no problem driving. Okay, caveat when the village opens in the evening, the road in front of the post office by caps is closed to the taxi area. But that's no big deal.

I would definitely take in the parade. Sure the beaches will be less crowded, but it will most definitely get you into the local feel. Now, don't think of this as the Macy's day because it isn't. And a good hint is to get a view around Mongoose. If you hang around where Joe's BBQ is and beyond it can get quite crowded and lots of parade backup. That being said there will be a bit of backup. Ever want to see a semi with a forty foot flat bed maneuver around the post office, do a left by the ferry up through Connections? Yep, quite a scene, LOL

You're more than welcome to join us and a regular krew. Ronnie, you gonna be there???

Xislandgirl · Post by **Xislandgirl** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 4:18 pm

You really should not miss the parade. The Mocko Jumbies are enough to get anyone hooked but the steelpan music, the Carnical troupes, the floats, etc are so great.

Walk down from Estate Lindholm in the morning with some water and snacks and beach chairs if you can. Find a spot to set your chairs and settle in.

MrsCARolph · Post by **MrsCARolph** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 4:19 pm

Sounds like a good time. I see from your pictures that you've been there a few times now. We'll be on STJ July 2-9 this summer. What about your group?

As always, thanks for the great info.

Xislandgirl · Post by **Xislandgirl** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 4:24 pm

This is from St. Croix but it gives you the idea. I love the Mocko Jumbies!

promoguy · Post by **promoguy** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 4:27 pm

A few times you say??? We actually always go this time of year. We stay at Gallows and well, the village music makes for good sleep, LOL. It takes getting used to and for j'overt, music all night. You might hear it carrying up the hill to Lindholm.

With regards to the Mocko Jumbies. I actually was the featured photographer in three cruise ship hard cover in-suite magazines for the year 2006. Some media fellow found them on the website. And yep, I got paid.

SoCaTraveler · Post by **SoCaTraveler** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 8:06 pm

Carnival sounds like a lot of fun. Too bad we leave before July 4th!

MrsCARolph · Post by **MrsCARolph** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 11:14 pm

I knew we'd see fireworks on STJ, but I had no idea how huge the holiday was!

Question: Is the whole island basically shut-down on July 3rd or 4th? We were planning to get just a few groceries, but we wanted to eat out for all dinners. Will any restaurants be open? I didn't even think about this before... I'm always learning something new here!

cat · Post by **cat** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 11:19 pm

Where did you see something going on the 22nd-24th of June? What is going on then?

promoguy · Post by **promoguy** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 11:21 pm

Cat, see if you can find a schedule of event leading up to the fourth. There usually is a four week lead up time. But they do have events that are related to carnival.....music, for example

SoCaTraveler · Post by **SoCaTraveler** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 1:27 am

Cat -

Here is where I got the Carnival info:

http://www.vinow.com/general_usvi/local ... rYear=2007

MIke · Post by **MIke** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 1:32 pm

If you are going to the parade,and plan on enduring the whole thing,I suggest you get there early and find a table on the street and prepare yourself for a hot day in the sun.It is a blast but after 8 in a row I have found the best place to view the parade is behind a cold beer sitting at the Gecko Bar.Not much of a view though.

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