From the Frederiksted Beach on the west end of St. Croix to Salt River on the north, Virgin Islanders — home for two years because of the Covid-19 pandemic — came out in large numbers for Easter camping, a tradition that some have said dates back to the 1940s on the island.

The largest gatherings were at Salt River Bay this year, with tents stretching from end to end of the main beach. A group of family and close friends who have been camping at Salt River for 25 years told the Consortium that this weekend’s turnout was the largest they’ve seen.

The turnout at the Frederiksted Beach was strong as well, and included multiple groups on the long stretch beginning at the Fish Market all the way to the Frederiksted Pool area.

At Cramer’s Park, the turnout was respectable, but it did not match previous years according to people who camped there, with some pinning the drop in turnout to a $25 fee introduced by the V.I. Dept. of Sports, Parks and Recreation.

Even so, people at all three locations were excited to be out, mask-free, enjoying what has become one of St. Croix’s most cherished traditions.

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