2016 Carnival Food Fair: St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Join me, as I sink my teeth into a delicious piece of fried fish that is properly seasoned and topped with sauce. My side dish was cheesy baked macaroni and steamed vegetables. Oh Yes! I am at the 2016 St. Thomas Carnival Food Fair and I can guarantee that your taste buds will not be disappointed. The Carnival Food Fair is an event that is always well attended. Visitors from around the world come to buy and enjoy the local dishes of the Virgin Islands sold at the fair.
The booths were ready for business when I arrived at the Emancipation Garden Park in Downtown Charlotte Amalie around 7:00 am. The decorated park had colorful streamers and lights wrapped around the trees. The atmosphere was fun and festive with calypso music lightly playing in the background. Happy shoppers waited patiently on the line to purchase some of their favorite foods.
There was approximately 150 skillful cooks and artisans who had a variety of products for sale. The vendors were either selling a hot plate of food, delectable desserts, arts, and crafts or locally grown produce and plants. What are some of the dishes you will find at the St. Thomas Carnival Food Fair?
Some of the dishes that were on the menu were whelks and rice, homemade red peas soup with or without pieces of pork. There is chicken that is either baked, fried, stewed or curried, oxtails, stew mutton or sous. The meats served with three sides. Some of them are peas and rice, plain white or brown rice, vegetables, stuffing, potato salad, baked macaroni, cole slaw, sweet plantains and Johnny cake. Most of the sides are starch. However, celebrating carnival is similar to holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. It is just not the best time to go on a diet.
After devouring a scrumptious meal, chase it down with one of the many locally made drinks. Sea moss, peanut punch (my favorite), tamarind juice and passion fruit juice are some of the flavors that are for sale. Afterward, top off your meal with a mouthwatering dessert. The many choices include a variety of soft, moist and fluffy carrot, chocolate and Vienna cake. Then there are coconut, guava and pineapple tarts. Tamarind stew is also a favorite at the fair. To be honest, I love all of the desserts. However, when I am at the fair, I hunt down the sugar cakes and fruit jams that makes for a delicious spread on toast for breakfast.
Additional items that can found at the St. Thomas Food Fair were a plethora of fruit and vegetable plants, homemade hot sauce, flavored cooking oils, passion fruit liqueurs and of course wooden creations that will make for excellent ornaments on a living room or bedroom table.
At 12:00 pm the St. Thomas Food Fair Ceremony had officially begun. The event was called the Theresa’s Sweet Shop in honor of Theresa Davis. The Government of the United States Virgin Islands and V.I. Carnival Committee officials recognized Davis for her years of contributions to the community and for creating some of the most delicious desserts in the Virgin Islands.
Their remarks, followed by performances by Uller F. Miller Bamboula Dancers, Yvonne Bowsky Elementary School, the St. Thomas Heritage Dancers and Bertha C. Boschulte Blazing Dancers. Flambo Combo provided musical entertainment, Superior Court Rising Stars Steel Orchestra and the St. Thomas All Stars Steel Orchestra and Milo’s Kings.
Overall, at the 2016 St. Thomas Carnival Food Fair there were a lot of fun delicious food choices that made my day a whole lot yummier! The fair is open from 8:00 am – 7:00 pm. Enjoy and have a great time!
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