The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism’s Division of Festivals offered residents and visitors one night to “fête” safely during the 69th edition of Carnival Virgin Islands in St. Thomas which took place on April 26 and ends on April 30, 2021.
As the Territory continues to enforce safe health protocols and execute its vaccination initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Division of Festivals, in collaboration with the Department of Health, hosted one in-person event to safely engage a select number of vaccinated residents and visitors in the carnival spirit.
Dubbed “1 Night, 1 Fête”, the event took place on Friday, April 30, 2021, at 7 p.m. at The West Indian Company Limited (WICO) dock on St. Thomas, and featured top-class U.S. Virgin Islands musical groups Cool Session Brass, Legacy Band and Spectrum Band, as well as acclaimed Trinidadian soca star Farmer Nappy. The event seated 200 vaccinated patrons and complied with COVID-19 protocols, including physical distancing, mask-wearing and proper handwashing hygiene. It also was streamed live on the Division of Festivals’ online platforms.
According to Ian Turnbull, Director of the Division of Festivals: “Carnivals throughout the region are still being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, however, the Division of Festivals has been proactive and innovative in bringing carnival and special events to our people.”
“1 Night, 1 Fête” was primarily geared at promoting the Division’s “Vaccinate to Party Safe” initiative to help reach the Governor’s goal of vaccinating 50,000 Virgin Islanders by July 1, 2021. “We hope that people are encouraged to take the vaccine so that we can safely resume and enjoy in-person gatherings,” Turnbull added.
The cost of the event included food and drinks, and persons had to be vaccinated to receive a ticket. Proceeds from the event went towards relief efforts for the Government and people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, who have been adversely impacted by La Soufrière volcano eruptions.
“We hope we can start to turn the corner from COVID-19 and have some type of safe engagement this year, before we resume our traditional celebrations,” said Joseph Boschulte, Commissioner of Tourism.
The event was an overall success, in my opinion. It was just the right amount of people so that no one felt overwhelmed or nervous due to the pandemic. All of the bands that performed were stellar! This was my first Caribbean carnival and I was not let down. I can’t wait to experience the full carnival post pandemic!
Carnival Virgin Islands also featured three “Festival Arts Dialogues”, discussing the stories behind carnival celebrations in the U.S. Virgin Islands. They included“Road to Royalty”, “Calypsonians” and “Costume Workshop”, which aired on local PBS affiliate WTJX and streamed on the Division of Festivals’ online platforms from April 26-28, 2021 at 6 p.m.
Sponsors for “1 Night, 1 Fête” were Coors Light and Hennessy, which are distributed by Bellows International and West Indies Company.
Future Division of Festivals events include the 68th St. John Celebration (June 28 – July 4, 2021); the 69th Crucian Christmas Festival (December 4, 2021 – January 9, 2022); and the 70th Carnival Virgin Islands on St. Thomas (April 2 – May 1, 2022).
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