Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 03, 2025

Organisers have high expectations as Emancipation festivities return

Organisers have high expectations as Emancipation festivities return

The Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee (VIFFC) has promised residents that this year’s staging of the Emancipation Festival, the first since the COVID-19 pandemic was declared in 2020, will be bigger and better as the committee planned the staging with the people in mind.

Speaking with BVI News today, Public Relations Officer (PRO) for VIFFC April Glasgow said the festivities will highlight Virgin Islands’ heritage and it will tell the story of emancipation.

She added that the committee will be bringing back a few traditional events such as Carrot Bay Culture Day and aquatic sports, among others.

Since it is the first staging since 2020, Glasgow expressed her excitement and noted that is the reason this year is a big deal.

“We are proud of what we can do this year considering everything. Yes, we know every year around this time we have a festival to plan but, in all fairness, considering all the constraints we have, considering the pandemic and of course that affected finances available, not just from the government financial side of it but also community sponsorship and partnership. The fact that we were able to pull out of it so quickly, honestly, it was a herculean task from the members of the committee. Remember we are all volunteers, taking time out of our busy schedule daily, trying to get something that we can all be proud of,” she said.

The PRO said she understood that information was not as forthcoming leading up to the publication of the calendar of events because the committee has faced several challenges in ensuring this year’s staging happens.

“We have been facing a lot of challenges so when we got the go, in terms of not only sponsorship but in terms of reaching out to certain artists, the entertainment was another side of things, the venues and so forth, coordinating among the different committees, getting volunteers. It was a huge task. That is why the information was not forthcoming because we were in the thick of it and we wanted to be comfortable in providing something that we could be proud of,” Glasgow explained.

COVID protocols


In relation to COVID-19 protocols, the PRO said the committee is abiding by the protocols currently in place by the government. She said it is up to the patrons to wear their masks and ensure their own protection as mask-wearing is no longer mandated in public spaces.

“I think that is the messaging going forward. Of course, we will have sanitisation stations available if persons do want to add another layer of protection in terms of being in the open space and wearing a mask and of course, we do encourage that,” the PRO added.

Successful VG fest


Meanwhile, she mentioned the Virgin Gorda Easter Festival was a big success and this staging of the Emancipation Festival will piggyback off that success and produce something even better.

“Not just on the scale but also the fact that we have a very good team. The thing that people may not understand about the festival committee is that although there is a chief executive, who has a high volume of work himself, we have several sub-committees with lots of volunteers who are helping to pull everything together. So, it is going to be even better because there is a strong team behind all these activities and the activities were planned with the people in mind. Everything was about what the people wanted, who the people want to hear, and what do they enjoy. Also, the issue of culture which was a major part of the discussion,” she explained.

Events


She noted that despite a calendar of events being out already, there are some things not finalised yet but once they are, the public will be made aware of the final cost attributed to the production of the event.

The 68th anniversary, celebrating under the theme ‘Celebrating Freedom for Me and You’ will run from July 24 to August 5. Patrons will see Miss BVI’s coronation on July 24, while the opening ceremony and Gospel Night will be on Wednesday, July 27.

July 28 will have the Torch Light Procession; July 29 will be Festival Glow Night, while July 30 is International Soca Night. This night will feature the Soca Monarch Competition and a performance from Mr Killa.

July 31 will feature the Freedom March, Jr Miss BVI and Festival Ultimate Muzical Mix. August 1, Emancipation Day, will feature an array of events including the August Monday Parade and Virgin Islands Culture Day.

Meanwhile, August 2 is International Reggae Night featuring acts such as Ding Dong, Sister Joyce and Ritical. August 3 will also have East End Jouver’t and East End Beach Day.

The celebrations will conclude on August 5 with Carrot Bay Cultural Day, Farmers Market Day, Donkey Races, Children Races and Water Sports.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Dutch government falls as far-right leader Wilders quits coalition
Harvard Urges US to Unfreeze Funds for Public Health Research
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Researchers Consider New Destinations Beyond the U.S.
53-Year-Old Doctor Claims Biological Age of 23
Trump Struggles to Secure Trade Deals With China and Europe
Russia to Return 6,000 Corpses Under Ukraine Prisoner Swap Deal
Microsoft Lays Off Hundreds More Amid Restructuring
Harvey Weinstein’s Publicist Embraces Notoriety
Macron and Meloni Seek Unity Despite Tensions
Trump Administration Accused of Obstructing Deportation Cases
Newark Mayor Sues Over Arrest at Immigration Facility
Center-Left Candidate Projected to Win South Korean Presidency
Trump’s Tariffs Predicted to Stall Global Economic Growth
South Korea’s President-Elect Expected to Take Softer Line on Trump and North Korea
Trump’s China Strategy Remains a Geopolitical Puzzle
Ukraine Executes Long-Range Drone Strikes on Russian Airbases
Conservative Karol Nawrocki wins Poland’s presidential election
Study Identifies Potential Radicalization Risk Among Over One Million Muslims in Germany
Good news: Annalena Baerbock Elected President of the UN General Assembly
Apple Appeals EU Law Over User Data Sharing Requirements
South Africa: "First Black Bank" Collapses after Being Looted by Owners
Poland will now withdraw from the EU migration pact after pro-Trump nationalist wins Election
"That's Disgusting, Don’t Say It Again": The Trump Joke That Made the President Boil
Trump Cancels NASA Nominee Over Democratic Donations
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OnlyFans for Sale: From Lockdown Lifeline to Eight-Billion-Dollar Empire
Mayor’s Security Officer Implicated | Shocking New Details Emerge in NYC Kidnapping Case
Hegseth Warns of Potential Chinese Military Action Against Taiwan
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Jamie Dimon Warns U.S. Bond Market Faces Pressure from Rising Debt
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Taylor Swift Gains Ownership of Her First Six Albums
Bangkok Ranked World's Top City for Remote Work in 2025
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
Russia's Fossil Fuel Revenues Approach €900 Billion Since Ukraine Invasion
U.S. Justice Department Reduces American Bar Association's Role in Judicial Nominations
U.S. Department of Energy Unveils 'Doudna' Supercomputer to Advance AI Research
U.S. SEC Dismisses Lawsuit Against Binance Amid Regulatory Shift
Alcohol Industry Faces Increased Scrutiny Amid Health Concerns
×