The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

IN THE VIRGIN ISLANDS, A FESTIVAL IS HELD EVERY JANUARY 6.
THE MAIN EVENT IS A PARADE THROUGH TOWN CONSISTING OF STEEL
BANDS, INSTRUMENTS MADE FROM OIL DRUMS, SCHOOL CHILDREN, AND
A REPRESENTATIVE GROUP FROM EACH ISLAND. AT THE END OF THE
PARADE IS A SMALL CEMENT MIXER FULL OF RUM WHICH HAS
A STREAM OF RUM POURING FROM IT. PEOPLE ARE RUNNING AFTER
IT WITH PAPER CUPS. I WAS DOWN THERE FOR THIS FESTIVAL
TWO YEARS AGO. IT WAS THE MOST CHAOTIC, RIOTOUS, DRUNKEN
EVENT I'VE EVER SEEN. NO DOUBT, A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; VIRGIN ISLANDS

Date learned: NOT GIVEN