Did you know that St Croix throws an epic St Patrick’s Day Party? What makes it so special, you might ask? Take a rich cultured island famous for its rum add a healthy pinch of Irish heritage, and you’ve got a recipe for a truly unique and colorful celebration.
St Croix really does throw an exceptional Irish celebration, and it’s been a staple since 1969. The parade is brimming with color, energy, and enthusiasm, as floats adorned in a green march down Christiansted’s famous streets. The atmosphere is electric, with an array of local food and drink vendors lining the streets to keep the party alive. Imagine dancing to the beat of the live music and enjoying the tropical sunshine while taking part in a sea of green.
It all started when a group of local business owners got together in 1969 to discuss the lack of an official St Paddy’s celebration on the island. They took matters into their own hands, got a flatbed and a piano, and drove through the streets of Christiansted singing Irish and local songs. The rest, as they say, is history.
St Croix is a melting pot of cultures, and the St Patrick’s Day Parade celebrates just that. It’s known as one of the biggest parties of the year, with people even planning their vacations around it. And despite St Croix’s reputation for being laid-back, this parade is surprisingly the only one on the island known to EVER start on time. Lol…
The floats from local businesses and groups are a fun sight to behold. Each one has a theme, and the participants dress accordingly (in green, of course). The parade-goers turn out in their most outrageous green finest, filling Christiansted’s streets with green.
After the parade, the bars and restaurants along the boardwalk keep the party going with live music, food, and drinks. And it’s not just a celebration of Irish heritage. Sightings of the famous Moko Jumbies are commonplace too! St Croix’s diverse history and cultures mean there’s always something to celebrate year-round. That’s why the celebration is a true Caribbean-Irish party not to be missed.
But there’s a bit of history to be learned too. While there were only a few wealthy Irish plantation owners, most of the Irish who initially populated the Danish colony on St Croix were laborers. Today, many West Indians bear the Irish surnames of former slave owners, but they also share heritage from the Irish laborers who integrated with those of African descent. It’s this beautiful diversity that makes the St Patrick’s Day parade on St Croix so unique.
The parade is organized by private businesses and individuals, and the funds raised from the entries go to local charities and organizations. It’s a celebration for a good cause, made possible by the parade committee, the police department, vendors, and the clean-up committee who clean up all the fun. So, head down to St Croix, and prepare to party island-style!