Steel pan melodies ring from street corners. Costumed dancers swirl and shake. Curbside barbeques serve up mouthwatering eats and frozen rum-spiked drinks. Carnival may come only once a year, but travelers on Caribbean vacation can get their fix at Jump Up, a community festival held quarterly in Christiansted, St Croix, USVI.

Jump ups are held not only on St Croix but throughout the Caribbean. These mini street festivals invite onlookers on Caribbean vacation to “jump up” and join the party. For more on Caribbean festivals visit Caribbean Carnivals http://www.caribseek.com/Adventure_and_Entertainment/Carnivals/caribbean-carnival.shtml

The St Croix jump ups serve a dual purpose of providing travelers on Caribbean vacation and locals alike a sample of carnival culture and encouraging local merchant business. Jump ups traditional feature live music such as steel pan bands, local foods, moko jumbies. These stilt dancers known as the “guardians of culture” are present at all island cultural events. Moko Jumbies are a tradition carried over from West Africa during colonial times.
For more on the orgin of moko jumbies http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moko_jumbies
For photos visit this link http://www.st-croix.net/fun/mokojumbies/index.html

The St Croix Carnival comes only once a year, but Jump Ups happen quarterly, feature less crowds and a light atmosphere. Planning a trip to St Croix? Consider a Caribbean vacation during Jump Up and get a small sample of island culture. The St Croix Retail and Restaurant Association plans Jump Up. Visit their website for a schedule and more information. http://www.gotostcroix.com/crra/index.htm