“The Afternoon on the Green Committee has been meeting since last September to make
Photo: Brianna Hairston received the "People's Choice" award for her "Tropical Cupcakes" at Afternoon on the Green 2013.
sure this year, our 25th Anniversary, is bigger, better and more memorable than any other year,” said Liza Margolis, UVI senior coordinator of donor relations and special events. “We are excited to feature new bands, fun things in the children’s corner including arts and crafts and bouncers, plus several other little surprises that you will see at Afternoon on the Green.”
Food has been the mainstay of the Afternoon on the Green. A wide array of delectable dishes are donated and sold at $3 taste. As a special part of the 25th Anniversary celebration, the cook that receives the most overall votes will win a trip for two to the beautiful island of St. Croix. Prizes will also be awarded to cooks in each of the categories, which include pastries and sweets, soups, native drinks, vegetables/casseroles, main dishes/meats/poultry, seafood, and breads. Choice Communications will provide voting through texting and will donate several prizes to the winners. Community members can also vote when they purchase $12 worth of tickets.
Some of the past dishes featured at Afternoon on the Green include bonito fish pilau, seafood kalalloo, New Orleans style jambalaya, “Prudy’s Bake Macaroni and Cheese,” red peas soup with pork, salt fish balls, Caribbean chicken wings, filipino egg rolls and spinach quiche. Some of the local drinks include “Groovy Gulp Guava Passion,” “Popeye’s Revenge,” ginger beer and “Anegada Ice Tea.”
Some of the desserts featured in the past include coconut drops, sweet potato pudding, pistachio cake, red velvet cake, chocolate fudge cupcakes, cheese cake, whole wheat sugar apple bread with walnut and flax, and blue velvet cake.
“Afternoon on the Green is a family affair for the entire community,” said Cheryl Miller, Afternoon on the Green co-chair. “I absolutely love that the community can come together in a fun friendly atmosphere and at the same time, raise funds for the UVI Scholarship Fund.”
This year, the VI Lottery has partnered with the University in support of this event. “The Virgin Islands Lottery is proud to be the first title sponsor of the 25th Annual Afternoon on the Green,” said VI Lottery Executive Director Conrad E. Francois II. “I'm always pleased for the opportunity to partner with the University, especially for events such as this, and that is why we are making a significant contribution to assist the youth of the community with scholarship monies.” Francois said, “It's a win win for the lottery and the wider community." The VI Lottery has partnered with the University in the past and was a corporate sponsor for the first Man-Up Male Empowerment Conference.
For the third year in a row, there will be a mini parade of 25 vintage Volkswagens and Mustangs that will make a grand entrance on the green led by the Addelita Cancryn Junior High School Marching Band.
Entertainment will be provided by Spectrum Band, Flip Switch, the VI Philharmonic, the EBO Steel Owls, the Mungo Niles Cultural Dancers and the Cherubim Wesleyan Methodist Dancers. The IQ Events Modeling Group will present a preview of “The Fashionista” fashion show on the green. In the children’s area, there will be fun games, bounce houses, storytelling and much more.
In honor of the Afternoon on the Green’s 25th anniversary, UVI will honor the past chairs, including Sonia Waters, Agnes Watlington, Roxie Venzen, Deanna Rogers, Frank Sculterbrant, Lucia Thomas, Winston Smith, Gail T. Steele, Muriel “Peggy” Smith and Jacqueline Sprauve.
“For the past 25 years theses honorable leaders have worked to build the Afternoon on the Green into a memorable event that strikes a chord with Virgin Islanders from all walks of life,” said Miller. “Through their efforts, this event has become a tradition that the community looks forward to each year.” She continued, “Come out to see old friends, eat great food and catch up. There is something for everyone at the 2014 Afternoon on the Green.”
The Afternoon on the Green is sponsored by West Indian Company Limited, First Bank, VI Waste Management Authority, Virgin Islands Council of the Arts, Pro Solar, VI Auto Club, MSI, Merchants Bank, the West Indies Company, Choice Communications, the VI Port Authority, and 104.3 The Buzz.
An online registration form is available from this link: Afternoon on the Green Cook Donation Registration Form.