After the media briefing by the governor, Chef Charles Mereday’s Parrotfish restaurant in downtown Christiansted welcomed locals and visitors for Cruzan rum pairings with appetizers. Weeks, Howell and Jessica Cuyler, executive producer for the Caribbean Food Network, welcomed the crowd, Dionne previewed her wines, and Hamlin gave a sample of her singing talents.

The next afternoon, Mereday hosted a group at the Galleon for more gourmet food and Dionne’s wine. She poured two reds and two whites paired with dishes Mereday and Javier Loayza from Cookology selected. The food included upscale chicken wings with a smooth pear wine and key lime and fruit tarts paired with Vibranium – a port and brandy mixture.

“I want Chef Mereday to say, ‘Kindra, your wines are so great, I want them to be the official wines of the Galleon,’” she said.

Howell, Weeks and Cuyler welcomed the group, and Dionne captured their attention with an entertaining description of each wine. Hamlin thrilled the crowd with a vocal tribute to Dionne Warwick, Etta James, and Aretha Franklin.

To end the festivities, the St. Croix organizers and the Loudoun County visitors joined the public at a concert at the Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts. In addition to Hamlin’s stunning vocals, internationally known jazz pianists Charu Suri and Jim Kimo West entertained.