Seven steel bands — six from St. Thomas — stirred onlookers with their spirited performances as the sun slowly set over Pillsbury Sound and the cooling evening breezes drifted in. Next up was the Ulla F. Muller Panatics, an elementary school steel band that traveled to St. John from the west side of Charlotte Amalie. This year, the band’s performance was dedicated to Pan Dragons alumnus Alrick Thomas, who was killed at the end of St. Thomas’ Carnival parade in April. The Rising Stars was established in 1981 by the Territorial Court as a way of engaging youngsters and preventing juvenile delinquency. After high school, the Rising Stars members often continue to play with the Junior All Stars, Yard Vibes, or the veteran steel pan masters in Pan In Motion.

Source: Forbes June 12, 2023 13:36 UTC