St. John’s festival celebration kicks off next weekend. The annual festival celebrates freedom here in the United States Virgin Islands. The enslaved people were finally freed on July 3, 1848.
Here is this year’s official schedule:
- Sunday, June 14th: Pan-O-Rama kicks off the celebration at 4 p.m. in Franklin Powell Park, which is located across from the ferry dock in Cruz Bay.
- Saturday, June 20th: Royalty Show begins at 6 p.m.
- Sunday, June 21st: Food Fair starts at 1 p.m. at Franklin Powell Park and the road beside the ferry dock.
- Sunday, June 21st: Boat races begin in Cruz Bay at 3 p.m.
- Saturday, June 27th: Beach Jam starts at 3 p.m. on Cruz Bay beach.
- Sunday, June 28th: Village opens at 6 p.m. The Village – Knight’s Ville – will be located in the Custom’s lot, which is across from the post office. Village will be open every night through July 4th.
- Friday, July 3rd: J’ouvert will begin at sunrise.
- Friday, July 3rd: Emancipation Day Program begins at 11 a.m. in Slim’s parking lot.
- Friday, July 3rd: Torch Light Parade at 7 p.m. at the entrance to the Village
- Saturday, July 4th: Parade starts at 11 a.m. … allegedly. I wouldn’t count in this starting anywhere close to on time based on history. 🙂
- Saturday, July 4th: Fireworks at 9 p.m. over Cruz Bay
*I am not certain when Children’s Village opens this year. I will update when I get that date.