Perhaps the most popular party of the ARC was on last night at Pigeon Island. A National Park here on St. Lucia, Pigeon Island is recognizable to everyone who participates it the ARC, as it represents the final obstacle to overcome before crossing the finishing line in Rodney Bay. Last night it was a place to party.
The St. Lucia Tourism Board sponsored taxis and welcome drinks (the ubiquitous rum punch that the ARC sailors who made an earlier arrival on the island have come to know quite well this year), and the beachfront atmosphere quickly heated up as the people hurried in.
DJ 'Short Man' led the festivities last night. He's already well-known in the ARC office for helping to set up the PA system here in the marina, and he did a remarkable job leading the crowd last night.
The evening opened rather quietly (in mood anyway - the music was anything but), as people began shuffling out to the venue. After a brief intro with some dance music, a local steel band took the side stage and played a mix of local and pop music as the crowd grew. Vendors were on hand to serve food - a mix of local fish and veg, plus some chicken drumsticks and BBQ ribs - and drinks, of course. The weather was perfect for the evening. A half moon rose above the palm trees on the beach, and the stars were out in force.
The party is an annually popular event, the first time that the crews can genuinely let loose in a dance-club like atmosphere. That festive feeling is aided by the fancy dress, which this year was a toga theme - easy, cheap and cool enough in the hot Caribbean air to actually be comfortable. Some of the participants indeed got a bit creative with the design (see the Gallery today for photos of last nights event). The ARC staff participated as well, and went incognito, as they blended in with the party-goers a lot better than they normally do in their bright yellow shirts.
With the rum properly lubricating the crowd, DJ 'Short Man' started the 'toga limbo' contest, which eventually evolved into another performance by the fire-eating troupe of a few nights ago, who quickly put to shame any of the ARC sailors who thought they were good at the limbo. The local troupe are remarkable performers and put on quite the show.
Shortly after the start of the evening, the yacht Jus' Nuts called in to the finishing line to announce they were 5 miles out. Keeping with the festive spirit, ARC staff greeted them on the dock in their toga garb, accompanied by a few participants who did likewise. Jus' Nuts has an interesting international mix onboard - the boat hails from Dublin, the family lives in France and they speak Swedish. The kids in particular were happy to touch dry land for the first time in three weeks.
IGY Marina staff organized a soccer game for kids and adults on the lawn by J pontoon earlier this afternoon, just in the nick of time before the rain arrived later in the day. Otherwise Thursday (today), is a quiet day on the program as the ARC staff and participants ready for the final prize giving event tomorrow night at Gaiety nightclub, when the competitive results will finally be announced.