A St.Thomas Grassroots Gathering


I've heard of bake sales, I've heard of formal dinners but I had never heard of food sales for political candidates. That's until I dropped by a St. Thomas food sale for the campaign of  U.S. Virgin Islands Governor John deJongh.

My St. Thomas expert Karen, invited me to the grassroots event, which was held in a parking lot. Caribbean dishes like curried chicken and goat, rice and peas, grilled fish and fungi, the Virgin Islands staple of corn meal and okra.


deJongh, above, really grabbed an early start for the November elections but you can never start too early when it comes to fundraising.  The place was packed with hundreds of voters buying food and shaking the Governor's hand. I think holding food sales for political candidates is an interesting St. Thomas custom.  Don't think it would work in Chicago, though. Have you discovered any unexpected customs on your travels?

Comments

Nancy Harder said…
Wow-that's interesting. Never heard of food sales for political fundraising. Sounds cool though. I've been to St. Thomas twice but haven't gotten the chance to delve into more local life.
Avis said…
Hmmm. I haven't seen that done here, but perhaps it's a more down-to-earth cousin of the $200-a-plate fundraisers held for candidates stateside. The food sounds delicious.
Fly Girl said…
Nancy, it's easy to miss St. Thomas local life, you really have to dig for it. hanks for dropping by.

Avis, I really don't think it would work here. It wasn't a sit down picnic type event, it was all carryout.
eden said…
that's interesting, indeed. I never heard of food sales for political candidates before. love that curried chicken with rice. it make me hungry..:0
Unknown said…
That is one savvy Governor: getting to the people through food and local food by the sounds of it. I've never eaten goat, tried the cheese but it didn't sit too well.

An unexpected event I came across was in Sth Korea. When it came to the presidential elections each candidate had a specially made truck with their own jingle and group of young disco/hiphop style dancers roaming around in cheerleader fashion. It reminded me of when the circus came to town in story books. I like your story more.
You see, I've never been interested in politics but if fundraising is that fun and there's food involved, oh well, the people need me, don't they? :-)

Great post.

Greetings from London.
Jean-Luc Picard said…
Looks like a good opportunity to enjoy and raise funds.
Fly Girl said…
Cate, I like your story better. Traveling disco dancers!

Cubano,Oh yes, we do.

Jean-Luc, I don't know if you only buy the food if you're voting for him but it was tempting enough to forget who your candidate is.
I have no idea about the politics, but I love the idea!

The most interesting custom I've observed to date is the Russian habit of newlywed couples travelling around (with the whole wedding party, so far as we could tell) to have their photo taken in front of all the local landmarks.
Fly Girl said…
Rachel, I have heard of that Russian custom. I see aspects of it here in Chicago when there's a wedding party in front of the Cloudgate sculpture (The Bean) taking photos.

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