Last weekend and continuing through Monday, Virgin Islands / Puerto Rico Friendship Day was celebrated in the USVI. Festivities centered around D.C. Canegata Ballpark and included a parade and concert. This celebration is of particular significance to Puerto Rican people currently living on St. Croix, St. Thomas, or St. John. For more than 50 years, Friendship Day has been recognized by the Virgin Islands government to recognize and honor Puerto Ricans who have contributed to the economic and social growth of the territory.
Breyana Grissel Almestica was crowned Miss VIPR Friendship Queen 2016.
On Sunday, October 2 a Virgin Islands / Puerto Rico Family Fun Day was hosted in Frederiksted. Among the performers were the We Deh Yah Cultural Dancers (pictured).
Friday, October 7 festivities on St. Croix officially kicked off at Canegata ballpark, opened by U.S. Virgin Islands Governor Kenneth Mapp. Over the course of the weekend, entertainment included bands and quadrille dancers. On St. Thomas, Friendship Day festivities also opened Friday, with an exhibit of photography at the Virgin Islands Council on the Arts by Photographer Mario Picayo.
The afternoon of Sunday, October 9 saw the Grand Friendship Parade go from Basin Triangle to Canegata Ballpark. Dance troupes along with other organizations tramped along the route through Christiansted. That evening continued the celebration at the ballpark with musician from Puerto Rico, plus R&B musician Helly and St. Croix’s Heart Attack band.
Monday, October 10 (the actual holiday) the apex of Friendship Day festivities was hosted on the boardwalk in Christiansted. The afternoon included music from DJ Unlimited Sound, Puerto Rican band Rumba Caliente and St. Croix’s Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Nights.
Friendship Day is celebrated in the U.S. Virgin Islands in lieu of Columbus Day, due to the controversial treatment of indigenous people to the islands by the Spanish as they colonized the Caribbean.
There’s always something to celebrate on St. Croix! Join us. Start by downloading Farchette & Hanley Real Estate’s free Island Event Guide to find an ideal time for an extended visit. Then contact Chris and Kerri Hanley when you’re ready to start your search for the perfect home or condo.