Masqueraders Musicians and the Old Time St. Croix Christmas Festival

About the Book

The book highlights masqueraders on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands to include Viggo Roberts, Lionel Huntt and Asta Williams along with stories aout Paddy Moore, Fritz "Marshall" Sealey, Albert Halliday and other street performers who performed on certain holidays. Two Crucian musicians, Ernest "Prince" Galloway and Dr. Stanley Jacobs, share stories about their musical careers. The organization of the Old Time St. Croix Christmas Festival is researched and documented. The book contains information on troupe leaders such as Floyd Henderson, Lillian Bailey, Amy P. Joseph for the Eve's Garden Troupe, the Gentlemen of Jones and Genevieve "Jenny" Thurland. Former Senator Lilliana Belardo de O'Neal describes the significance of Three King's Day and the contributions of Puerto Ricans to the St. Croix Festival. The photographs provide colorful images of the costumes worn by participants during that period. The book is educational, historical and cultural for present and future generations of Virgin Islanders to enjoy.

About the Author

Karen C. Thurland, Ph.D., of Christiansted, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, is an educator, historian and author. She is the author of The Thurland Family and the Furniture Making Tradition, Peter G. Thurland: Master Cabinetmaker and Bandleader, The 872nd and 873rd Port Companies: My Father’s Story, The Neighborhoods of Christiansted: 1910-1970, The Sugar Industry on St. Croix, and Tradesmen of St. Croix: U.S. Virgin Islands. She is the daughter of Will and Modesta Larsen Thurland of St. Croix. Karen is a 1998 recipient of the Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts in the United States Virgin Islands.