Virgin Island Traditions: First edition

When moving to the Virgin Islands, one of the things I looked forward to the most was learning the unique traditions on this islands. This weekend I got to experience two (and I am hoping to post about much more of the unique island traditions in the coming months)!

David Hamilton Jackson Day

November 1st the kids were off of school in celebration of David Hamilton Jackson Day. The kids learned about him in school - and I will let my daughter explain the impact he has had on the island (in her own words): "D. Hamilton Jackson is a very important man. Jackson was born in St. Croix on September 28, 1828. In St. Croix, Jackson created a union of people to fight for rights for non-well treated workers. In 1925 he also created "The Herald" - the first independent* newspaper in the Virgin Islands. Each year on November 1, we celebrate D. Hamilton Jackson day to remember that he accomplished making free press."

(*the newspaper got controlled by the government, but Jackson changed that)

Ole' time Fish Fry

St John Community has been hosting a fish fry annually for 30 years. The goal is to build unity in the community. This year it was at Susannaberg ruins - which, as far as I can tell has the most amazing views on the islands. There was tasty food:

• Johnny Cakes (basically fried dough deliciousness)

• Pate's (similar to empanadas) filled with Beef, Chicken, Veggie or Conch.

• Tarts and Pies made from local fruits

There were some provided activities for kids: bouncy house, balloon making, face painting, as well as cotton candy and ice-cream eating. Some unexpected unplanned, kid-lead activity was tarantula luring (you put a long palm into a tarantula hole to lure them out). Apparently this is fine as long as you don't try to "catch them" with your hands. I, and I am pretty sure neither kid, fully participated in this activity...we are quite that island brave yet.

My daughter sang with her choir on top of the hill with gorgeous views of the islands behind her - with rainclouds moving past in the distance (which is a crazy thing you see here - entire rainstorms systems moving off in the distance, usually with some rainbows, too). After that a the youth steel drum band Love City Pan Dragons put on a great show! (Maybe, if we are lucky, our kids will be in a band like this in the future - our son has really taken to playing the Ukulele and Steel drums in his after school "Scratch Band" program). This was such a fun event (minus the tarantula luring!)