A member of the Opia Taino Indians Traditional Troupe shows off his costume and tribal marks during the 65th St. Thomas Carnival Parade on Saturday. Photo: NGOVOU GYANG

With a smile as bright as her floral outfit, Miss Virgin Gorda Easter Festival Alondra Ephraim waved to thousands of onlookers from the back of a convertible during the St. Thomas Carnival Parade on Saturday.

A member of the Opia Taino Indians Traditional Troupe shows off his costume and tribal marks during the 65th St. Thomas Carnival Parade on Saturday. Photo: NGOVOU GYANG
“It’s been a really nice experience so far,” Ms. Ephraim said about halfway through the procession that started at Charlotte Amalie’s Western Cemetery and ended at the Lionel Roberts Stadium. “I’m enjoying it. The people are really friendly, and they are excited to see royalty.”

Ms. Ephraim was among dozens of people from this territory who traveled to St. Thomas for the parade, which was part of celebrations for the island’s 65th Carnival.

“This is a time where we express our cultures and the similarities between the two territories,” she said. “I’m happy to see some people from the [VI] support our neighbours, and I’m hoping to see similar support when ours comes around in August.”
The 50-plus entries in Saturday’s adult parade — which followed a children’s parade on Friday — included moko jumbies, steel pan bands, cultural troupes and others.

 

See the May 4, 2017 edition for full coverage.

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