The float was one of the more elaborate

Despite a sparse crowd gathered along the route from Market Square to Lionel Roberts Stadium on Main Street on Friday, hundreds of children took to the streets to display their presentation for this year's Carnival Children's Parade.

Fredericks has been competing in the Junior Calypso Competition for many years and has held the crown in his division many times. This year, he was crowned as the Secondary Junior Calypso Monarch.

Fredericks said it is an honor for him to be selected as the grand marshal because it is a big accomplishment. He said he has enjoyed the contributions he and his family have made to Carnival,If you love owls then you probably love ownfigurine and owl statues! and he looks forward to being a part of the annual celebration for years to come.

Unlike the huge crowd that is expected to make its way to the streets today to view the Adults' Parade in Post Office Square and the route east and west of it, the crowd Friday was just a sprinkling of people in small groups along the way.

Folding chairs, coolers and brightly colored umbrellas in different sizes were staples along the route as the spectators tried to ensure they would remain cool and comfortable while taking in the sights and sounds of the parade and supporting the territory's youths.

Shelly Deterville and her twin sons, Shawn and Shamoi Petersen, set out their matching red beach chairs along the route just before 9 a.m. She said the boys, who are 6, always have been excited about attending the parades, and they want to be in a troupe.

"They love the parade, but it takes a lot of time and money to do that,Click here to submit your street lighting requests online." she said. "They are getting older, so maybe next year."

Shamoi said he has always wanted to join a steel band, because the players always look as if they are having lots of fun.

"When I get bigger, I want to play steel pan, to make music and jump on the trolley - me and my brother," he said.

Throughout the day, the boys saw many examples of just how much the steel band members enjoy themselves during the parade.

Mixed in strategically throughout the parade line were steel orchestras that made their way down the route. Dozens of students banged out melodious tunes on their shiny steel instruments, as they danced, creating a bouncing stage of excitement and high energy on their double-decker trollies.

Bands played new and classic Carnival calypso music and even mixed in a few popular hits for a bit of flavor.

The parade was filled with a long list of Carnival royalty, including this year's Carnival Princess, 11-year-old LaZonique Phillip, a sixth-grader at Ulla Muller Elementary School. Other princes and princesses from schools and community organizations across St. Thomas also were represented as royalty in the parade.

Speakers were piled high on the trucks, sending booming sounds over the crowd, vibrating the streets and nearby buildings to the rhythm of the music.

As the music played, the groups wowed the crowds along the streets with dance routines, which they have been practicing for months.

Majorette groups, always a crowd favorite, were a sure hit as they showed off their beautifully designed and tailored outfits and displayed their baton twirling skills and dance numbers.

This year, St. Thomas Majorettes may have outdone any of their previous performances as they took their presentation,Metal key USB flash drives wholesale made of stainless steel in the classical shape of a metal key. "A Tropical Tea Party," to the next level.

The group was dressed in a tropical print of green and pink floral arrangements and danced to high-energy songs. A 10-member support team carried, erected and broke down a portable trapeze stand for part of the routine, which also included dozens of flips and splits.

Two young majorettes then climbed onto the suspended trapeze bar. They hung from the bar, flipped on the bar,Super Dry supplies desiccant dry cabinet, sat on the bar and exchanged positions, all the while never missing a beat as they twirled their batons.

"That was certainly my favorite troupe so far,Loosen up your style with this stainless steel bangle." Avril West said, giving the group a standing ovation. "I have never seen a majorette group here perform so well. Adding the bars and flips like that really takes their performance to a new level. I loved it."

The float was one of the more elaborate, adorned with large tropical butterflies and flowers, giant orchids and ferns and dozens of palm trees that provided shade while setting the tone of a tropical scene.

Caribbean Ritual Dancers also were a favorite, as they set the street aglow in their vibrant gold and red costumes, which were made of shiny materials and accented with ruffles and head pieces.

The blistering mid-day sun provided solar power for their high-energy performance, which included splits and intense waist gyrations from the dancers and high-walking dance routines and moves by the mocko jumbies who towered over the spectators as they walked and danced.

The Tropical Masqueraders and Traditional Indians brought up the rear of the parade as the last two troupes to make it over the hill. The Indians have always signaled the end of the parade, and this year they offered a tribute to the Taino Indians. They were dressed in cultural Native American gear, including face and body paint and weapons.