The streets of Charlotte Amalie lit up Friday morning with a kaleidoscope of color and sound as the St. Thomas Carnival Children’s Parade made its way up through town. Gold sequins caught the sunlight like fire, bold feathers swayed to the rhythm of the drums, and glittering crowns on the heads of this year’s royalty gleamed with every step.
The silver flash of steel pans added to the shimmer, their notes weaving through the air alongside the laughter of dancers, the call of majorettes, and the steady beat of school marching bands. From the first whistle to the final wave, it was a celebration in motion — one that captured the spirit of Carnival through the eyes of its youngest stars.
Leading the charge into Post Office Square was this year’s Grand Marshal — the St. Thomas Majorettes — who swept onto the scene with Virgin Islands flags held high and polished boots striking in time with the beat. Decked in gleaming gold and silver, the troupe shimmered in the sunlight, each baton toss and high-step catching the eye. True to form, they didn’t hold back on what they’re best known for — their signature acrobatics had the crowd cheering, as girls flipped and spun with confidence and flair.
“This is year 19 for us,” said Assistant Troupe Director Desha Powell. “We’ve been operating since 2006, and we’re excited to be able to contribute to the culture for so long.” Nearly 95 strong, the Majorettes were a parade within the parade — and they didn’t do it alone. Lining the route were families in matching shirts, proudly walking alongside their daughters and sisters, carrying equipment, keeping time, and celebrating each step. “The girls practice close to 10 months a year just for this,” added Director Patricia Thomas. “It’s an honor to be recognized by the Festivals Committee for our dedication and service.”
Following behind the Grand Marshal came another beloved Carnival tradition – royalty. With crowns catching the light and gowns sweeping the street, this year’s young queens and kings brought grace and pageantry to the parade route. Leading the way was Petite Princess Skai Lewis, followed by Princess Kaysa Freeman and Junior Miss Jada-Marie Donovan, each dressed in striking gowns of teal, blue, and fuchsia, respectively, that shimmered as brightly as their smiles.
For Donovan, it was a first-time pageant experience — and one she’ll never forget. “It feels great to be Junior Miss, and it’s really exciting,” she said. “This was my first time participating and I loved every minute.” Her favorite moment, she said, was taking the stage for her talent performance, where she brought down the house with a dynamic display of African drumming. “I was ready to beat those drums,” she laughed, still energized by the memory. Wearing the same fuchsia gown she wore on the night of her crowning, Donovan said the day was also a tribute to the spirit of her late aunt, whose memory carried her through every step of the journey.
As the echoes of royalty faded down Main Street, the unmistakable sound of steel pan signaled the next wave of the parade — and with it, one of the most anticipated performances of the day. Each year, the Ulla F. Muller Elementary School Panatics are among the first into the square, their silver pans catching the light as clearly as their music captures the crowd. This season, the group brought about 15 student performers, a tight-knit ensemble that filled the streets with rhythm and joy.
“The program’s been going strong for the last 25 years,” said assistant instructor Feja Lima, who helps lead the group through both St. Thomas and St. John Carnival parades. “We haven’t missed one yet.” A mix of seasoned players and enthusiastic newcomers made up this year’s band, proudly representing their school and the rich tradition of pan in the Virgin Islands. “We’re excited about the continued growth of the program,” Lima added, watching as students played their way down the route, drawing applause with every note.
Following close behind was the powerful procession of the Charlotte Amalie High School Marching Hawks — steel pan orchestra, marching band, and flag squad moving as one, filling the square with precision, color, and sound. The pan players brought a deep, resonant energy to the route, layered with the pulse of drums and horns, while the flag squad swept the air with coordinated flair. Their entrance felt like a statement – bold, proud, and unmistakably rooted in the culture of Carnival.
“A lot of time, talent, and resources went into getting the students ready,” said band director Akeel Breedy, watching from the sidelines as the group played their way through the heart of town. “The kids put in a lot of work memorizing the music.” This year’s set was arranged by three different contributors, including one student, making each note feel that much more personal. The performance opened with crowd favorite from Spectrum Band and closed strong with “Carnival Baby” by Mic Love, wrapping their set in a sound that was fully local, fully theirs.
Near the middle of the parade, a towering burst of color and movement swept into view – Eccentric Moko Jumbies, striding high above the crowd with energy and flair. With bold costumes, layered textures, and pops of color, the troupe lived up to its name in every step. “It’s pretty much outside the box,” said instructor Senio Donovan. “We’re not the average. Everything about us — our costumes, our style — it’s different. That’s where the name Eccentric comes from. We stand out.”
Formed eight years ago by two brothers determined to keep the art form alive, Eccentric Moko Jumbies has grown into a community staple, now boasting 18 active members and a steady presence at Carnival events across the territory. “It was something we saw dying down,” Donovan said. “And we felt like it was needed. We’ve been going strong ever since.” With St. John Festival up next and registration opening soon, the troupe also had one more message for the crowd lining the streets: “Thank you, community, for always supporting us.”
And of course, no Children’s Parade would be complete without the vibrant troupes that brought movement, storytelling, and nonstop energy to the streets. From polished school groups to high-powered dance teams like Elite Dynasty and the always-showstopping Allure Mas, each troupe brought its own flavor of Carnival to the route. Sequins, feathers, flags, and flair — it was all there, parading past with cheers from every corner.
Among the early entries into the square was Antilles School, rocking a Diamonds & Denim theme in celebration of its upcoming 75th anniversary. With girls in white glitter dresses and denim vests, and boys in denim shirts and Stetsons, the troupe was all sparkle and swagger. Leading the dance was Shanique Woods Boschulte, head of the school’s Parent Association, who said the school embraced the theme as part of a broader celebration. “It’s our 75th year of being on St. Thomas and the school began activities to mark the jubilee — so we rolled the campaign right into Carnival,” she said.
By midday, the skies, clear and breezy just hours before, gave way to the kind of steady rain that has soaked the territory off and on for the past several weeks. But not even the weather could dampen the spirit of Friday’s parade. Close to half of the 33 scheduled entries had made it into Post Office Square before the showers began, and as the route glistened with puddles, the crowds held their ground. Spectators huddled beneath umbrellas, tucked into doorways, and pulled ponchos tight — but they stayed. For the music. For the movement. For the children.
“I’m here to support the children,” said Joyce Roumou, settled near Main Street with a dry spot and a smile. “The children are better than the adults — adults are too rigid.” Just down the block, Rhoda John-Lewis sat in a sling chair at the entrance to the Alvaro de Lugo Post Office, her grandson Royce snuggled in her lap. “Very colorful — nice,” she said, taking in the parade as her first Carnival event this year. Around the corner, Joyce Francis-Edwards beamed as the next troupe passed. “The children’s parade is good—very good,” she said simply.
And under one cozy stroller canopy near Cardow Corner, four young parade-goers — Rory and Rosie Cochrane in their moko jumbie best, and siblings Thomas and Tillie peeking out from beneath — waited out the drizzle in true Carnival fashion: with patience, laughter, and love. The rain may have come, but the celebration never stopped, they said.
