kusuchi
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Virgin Islands Carnival - Children's Parade.This is Carnival week in the VI.
We have Calypso contests, Battle of the Bands, King and Queen of the parades, Food Fair, and the Carnival Village, open every night with live entertainment, refreshment booths and fairground rides.
It all leads up to the finale this weekend. The children's parade on Friday, the Adults parade on Saturday, followed by a fireworks display and a beach party at Magen's bay on Sunday.
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Here are some photos of last years Adult parade. Val's office is right above the parade route. I shot these with a telephoto lens from the second floor balcony.
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johnreid
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Cool.
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TRAPPERKEEPER
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Looks like so much fun 
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kusuchi
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| TRAPPERKEEPER wrote: | | Looks like so much fun |
Actually, having 'done' Carnival for the last fifteen years we were considering a getaway to the nearby island of St John, an unspoilt paradise which is over two thirds National Park. Unfortunately the cheapest hotel rate we could find was $528 per night! 
For three nights I could buy one heck of a Steam Engine. 
Trunk Bay, St John.
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Nick
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I thought it was going to be your fairground, but I couldn't figure out how you finished it so fast.
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johnreid
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There is an event that takes place twice a year three miles down the road from me the town that normally is population 80 grows to over 80000 I avoid the biggest crowd part, but do go and play music around the campfire with some friends that travel in for the event.
I will try to take some pictures this year, there are Tepees and people in pre-1860 garb, reenactors of the Fur Trading Era of Americas West.
The event is the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association Championship Shoot. Really a big deal, but I hate crowds.
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kusuchi
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| Nick wrote: | | I thought it was going to be your fairground, but I couldn't figure out how you finished it so fast. |
 Speaking of fairgrounds, another of our ongoing projects is also moving to conclusion. The Wilesco Fairground display is progressing very nicely. The display is very much a piece of millwork rather than a realistic display like Wilescoman's.
The display is on multiple levels, with the Ferris wheel at the highest.
Each level is veneered in white flecked oak and bounded by CJW's single brass railing.
Not sure with Carnival this weekend when CJW's railing will arrive. I will post pictures as soon as it is complete.
It's going to look really good. (he said somewhat immodestly) 
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johnreid
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I was just given a sizable spool of brass wire, I bet I have 100 feet of it! 14 guage I think. I might have to get some brass rod and make soem railing this summer.
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Wallace
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Looks like a great event. 
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Nick
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I hope the wind doesn't blow her over.
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Les Marsh
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That looks like great fun for all involved and great entertainment for everyone else.
Do you or your family participate at all?
So I take it a tent on the beach is out of the question then.
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Les Marsh
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It shows that a lot of time and effort has been put into the costumes and makeup. How soon do they start planning for the following year?
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johnreid
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I bet they are already planing for next year, lots of tourist monies are generated by that but if it isnt really worth it, tourists would stop coming.
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redryder
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The costumes are amazing. It reminds me of photos and film I have seen of Carnivale in Brazil.
Gil
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johnreid
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So many of the photos that I have seen of the one in Brazil had smaller costumes 
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kusuchi
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| johnreid wrote: | | So many of the photos that I have seen of the one in Brazil had smaller costumes |
The costumes are very spectacular but the West Indies are very morally conservative. Quite unlike Brazil. This is as risquee as it gets here. Many of the fundamentalist church groups are very opposed to the event. The dancing, (wukking up), however, is extremely graphic, leaving nothing to the imagination.
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kusuchi
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| Les Marsh wrote: | That looks like great fun for all involved and great entertainment for everyone else.
Do you or your family participate at all?
So I take it a tent on the beach is out of the question then. |
Yes Les, we've been in the parades many times. Andrew was a teletubby for a local TV station entry a couple of years ago.
I'm not really a camping person. There is a site on St John. We spent three nights there once , it rained continuously and we were eaten alive by Mosquitoes. Throughout the whole experience, I was aware of my comfortable bedroom at home and wondered why I was paying money for this experience..
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kusuchi
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| Les Marsh wrote: | | It shows that a lot of time and effort has been put into the costumes and makeup. How soon do they start planning for the following year? |
Right away. If only the same amount of effort went into their regular government responsibilities. St Thomas has historically always been the "party Island".
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kusuchi
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CHILDREN'S PARADE 2008
Although not nearly as spectacular or well attended as Saturday's Adult's Parade the event is fun for the kids who participate.
A little overcast at first then it brightened up.
Here are some highlights:
Andrew's School's parade entry. Built on top of a lawnmower, this is the only steam train in existence that cuts the grass as it moves.
King or Queen of the Band Costume.
Steel Pan Trolley. Now I know why I can't find any simichrome!
'Mocho Jumbie' Stilt walker. Bear in mind it can take over four hours to complete the parade route, 84 degrees F, no shade. This kid is about 2/3rds of the way.
Tropical Masqueraders. As above, 4 hours in the heat
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Les Marsh
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Wonderful pictures, it looks as if everyone was enjoying it and there was a lot of work put into the childrens costumes as well. 
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johnreid
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Wonderful photos, it is good that the kids can participate also.
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Nick
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No simichrome left.
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