Page 1098 - Visitor Guides

Quadrille has long been the St. Croix Heritage Trail is a self- Outdoor Markets are the
official dance of the United guided driving tour through a variety trademark of the Caribbean and
States Virgin Islands. Originally of the island’s historical sites and of St. Croix. For a sampling of
The an old European dance, it was natural areas. The trail links many local fruits, drinks and vegetables,
adapted with a Caribbean
start your Saturday morning at
major historic attractions including
Wonders Afro/European beat in the Whim Plantation Museum, marketplaces in Frederiksted,
of 18th and 19th centuries and St. George Village Botanical Christiansted or La Reine. Or,
remains popular in the Virgin Garden and Christiansted historic look for vendor stands and trucks
Islands today. If you’re lucky, a sites as well as several plantation along Queen Mary Highway and
scheduled performance with ruins. All told, it is a satisfying tour Centerline Road.
dancers clad in colorful madras of St. Croix history for even the
may coincide with your visit. staunchest history buff.
Culture

Crucian Christmas Festival

St. Croix at her most joyous.
Experience a true Crucian
event by celebrating alongside
the locals. Start with eating
tasty Crucian delights, dance to
Caribbean music and then watch
a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors Agrifest is the largest annual
as carnival dancers whirl by you agricultural fair in the Caribbean.
in a parade of exotic costumes.
The three-day exhibition draws
visitors from all over the region
and rivals many U.S. state fairs.
Experience everything from petting
Cruzan Rum has been making zoos, farmer’s markets and calypso
its best-selling rum products shows to traditional cooking
at its distillery on St. Croix demonstrations and replicas of
for more than 300 years. See homes from bygone eras.
firsthand how rum is made and
learn the difference between
Beyond her moving history and natural beauty, perhaps the most defining trait of St. Croix is her festive light and dark rum. Finish up
and colorful spirit. To fully experience some of the best she has to offer, you’ll want to sample as many your tour with cool, delicious,
of the following activities as possible. complimentary rum drinks.

Local Corner Local Corner

Bradley E. Christian Willard John

If you’re intrigued by traditional dance, you’ll want to be on the lookout At some point in your travels through St. Croix, you will likely hear of Moko Jumbies.
for Bradley E. Christian. A Cultural Specialist, Mr. Christian was taught the If you hear this in a conversation with Willard John, you will discover that this subject
art of calling Quadrille by the grand floor master, the late Adam Peterson. is his passion. In fact, Mr. John is founder of the Guardian of Culture Moko Jumbie. As
Mr. Christian is also President of the esteemed St. Croix Heritage Dancers, he would be more than happy to tell you, Moko Jumbies are traditional folk characters
a 27-year-old organization whose purpose is to preserve Crucian culture that dance on stilts. Originally brought from West Africa to the Caribbean, the Moko
through dance. If you ask, he may even be willing to teach you a few moves. Jumbie has been a beloved part of Virgin Island culture for many years. Mr. John has
researched and demonstrated this art form in a series called Mokolution.