It's the heart of winter season on the island. Real estate agents report a pick up in wannabe-buyers, an arts festival begins later this week, and the island's best-know athletic activity is set for Saturday.
The Sweet 16th 8 Tuff Miles Road Race steps off at 7:15 a.m. Saturday from the ball field near the National Park headquarters. It's a sellout event again, with 1,100 runners from all over the islands and the mainland gearing up for the 8.375 mile challenge. St. John fave Jeremy Zuber, who's won the race many times, will compete this year. Last year's trace was won by members of a Cincinnati running club. They'll be back.
The 21at annual Folklife Festival begins Thursday at Annaberg Plantation. The theme this year is "Wake Up and Plant a Seed." Hugo Roller of Coral Bay Gardens will show and tell lots of information and advice about plants. Interests of school children are expected to be the focus of activities during the weekdays, then Saturday island entertainers will perform. Park Ranger Denise George has organized the festival, according to the St. John Source. She told the newspaper, "Bering a flashlight, chair and bug spray." Read the full story.