GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – St. Maarten’s capital Philipsburg will come alive with light, shopping, dining, live entertainment, gambling and a must-attend after party for the grand ‘Philipsburg Alive’ Block Party lll event, which is set for Friday, December 7.
A production of Philipsburg Promotional Board (PPB), the event has grown since its first and now includes a part of Back Street, Front Street, Kerk Alley and Boardwalk Promenade.
The Philipsburg Alive Block parties are geared towards enhancing the foot traffic for the afternoon shopping in Philipsburg and revitalizing the nightlife in the country’s capital.
The Minister of Tourism and Economic Affairs Stuart Johnson is calling on the community and visitors to come to Philipsburg on Friday and participate in the ‘Philipsburg Alive’ Block Party, a festive event as part of the holiday season leading up to Christmas.
The event kicks off at 5:00 PM and runs on to 7:00 PM with “extreme shopping” at a number of stores from Ballerina Jewelry store all the way up to Longchamp on Front Street, and the same distance along Back Street.
About 50 stores and shops will be participating in this extended shopping hour, in collaboration with the Indian Merchants Association (IMA), and everyone is urged to go out and enjoy the holiday shopping experience.
There will be lots of entertainment including Djembe drums performance at Pastoorie Alley, steel pan performances on Front Street in the vicinity of Klass Electronics; Mr. Cole with “oldie Goldie’s” on Front Street near Little Switzerland, and Generation New Status Drum band performing on Back Street.
Attendees can also enjoy gambling at the various casinos in the Philipsburg area such as Jump Up Casino, Diamond Casino, Coliseum Casino, Rouge Et Noir Casino and Beach Plaza Casino.
Couples and friends are also urged to enjoy moonlight strolls along boardwalk promenade.
From 5:00 PM, there will also be a “Vendors” Galleria selling art, craft and locally made goodies and drinks, next to Fun Zone for the children at Pastories Alley and Kerk Alley.
From 6:00 PM, there will be Dazzling Divas dancing on Front Street near Horizon View Hotel. At 7:00 PM, Fred York and Friends will be performing on the main stage at Pastoorie Alley while Marshall & Friend will be performing on Stage ll on Front Street, and Funky Horny Horns on Stage lll, on the Boardwalk Promenade.
Also performing will be Funtopia’s stilt walkers, along Pastorie Alley and Kerk Steeg.
Trolley trains will be around the area offering complimentary rides to attendees around town. Attendees to the event are also encouraged to enjoy dinner at their favorite restaurant on that night throughout Philipsburg.
At 8:30 PM and 9:00 PM, there will be a colorful and energetic dance performance at the Pastorie Alley and the Boardwalk.
The after party kicks off at 9:00 PM at Axum Café; Holland House Beach Hotel; Kool Vibes; Sheer Restaurant; Shieka’s Bistro and Kokonuts restaurant.
Coordinators are working on having Oasis 96.3 FM and Pearl Radio 98.1 FM for the live broadcast at the event and will also be communicating with hoteliers and concierge to motivate tourists to participate “where the locals/residents will be liming”.
“We have already sensitized the taxi associations about the events and we are looking forward to their support in helping to promote the event,” PPB official Valentin Davis said. “There will be full moon on that evening. We want people to feel comfortable to come down early afternoon and shop, then enjoy the street entertainment.”
“Thereafter, they can join the block party activities or go to their preferred bar or restaurant. Ride the trolley train around town and get a sneak preview of the first phase of the Christmas lights. Children can go to the Fun Zone set up on Back Street and parents can buy art and craft at the Vendors Galleria in the Pastorie Steeg and Kerk Steeg. Lovers can stroll on the boardwalk in the moonlight, go gambling at any of the five casinos or join in on one or more of several after parties.”
In support of the event, Director of Tourism May-Ling Chun noted that “Philipsburg is a vital part of the country’s economy and its tourism product. Therefore the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau is committed to collaborate with the Philipsburg Promotional Board to bring back life and increase business in our capital.”
A total of 12 more block parties are planned up to April 5, 2019 with a grand finale for the season. Residents and tourists are urged to come out in numbers to enjoy this great entertaining shopping, dining and partying event in town.
