At the 2016 St. Thomas Carnival Children Parade there were high energy participants staked out on both sides of the parade route either or standing on sitting under colorful umbrellas! There was a variety of troupes, majorettes, queens and steel pan orchestras. The St. Thomas Carnival Children Parade is a televised event that airs throughout the Caribbean region.

Spectators lined the parade route that began from Altona and ended at the Lionel Roberts Stadium. Although the weather was overcast, there were a plethora of large colorful umbrellas that usually shelters people from the sun. However, since there weren’t any sunshine spectators were covered from the light drizzle that set a perfectly cool temperature for the parade.

The parade was filled with lots of energy, especially when participants showcased their dance moves in front of the judge’s booth that was located in front of the Emancipation Garden Post Office. The media was also set up there with their professional video and still cameras capturing every moment of this entertaining parade.

The Children Parade opened up with Grand Marshall Denise Smith, who invited everyone to continue to enjoy the rest of carnival. Soon after, Carnival Princess Laila Evelyn and her court D’Naeja Todman, Sainyah Jackson and Paris Chin graced the parade with their presence and waved at the crowd. They were dressed elegantly in their elaborate ball gowns, sash, and the crown. They were all gorgeous!

There were other queens with various titles in the parade as well. Some of them were Miss Virgin Islands Latin Pride Teen Luz Maria Lopez, Miss Virgin Islands Latin Pride Princess Alayah Whatley, and Yvonne M. Bowsky Little Miss Sweetheart Jazymn Gumbs.

In no particular order, trailing behind were the troupes such as Ulla F. Muller Elementary School “Panatics,” Ms. Glady’s Garden and the Stoppers; just to name of few. The Rising Stars Youth Steel Orchestra, Sunrays Steel band and the Phoenix Pan Jammers were some of the steel pan orchestras that played a variety of calypso ensembles. Then of course some of the majorettes were the St. Croix Majorettes, Sebastian Majorettes and the St. Thomas Majorettes.

No matter what category was, throughout the rest of the day the performances by the youth were flawless. No one missed a dance step nor were there steel pan players who were out of tune. However, all of the participants performed in unison which was a reflection of months of ongoing practices. It was indeed a joy to watch, and it was a moment that made every parent proud.

Overall, the 2016 St. Thomas Carnival Children Parade was a lot of fun! Visitors and residents all had a great time. It also proved faithful to the theme that “There Is Nothing More Fabulous, than Carnival in St. Thomas!” Happy Carnival!
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