Beautiful Virgin Islands

Monday, Jul 14, 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
Air India Pilot’s Mental Health Records Under Scrutiny
Google Secures Windsurf AI Coding Team in $2.4 Billion Licence Deal
Jamie Dimon Warns Europe Is Losing Global Competitiveness and Flags Market Complacency
South African Police Minister Suspended Amid Organised Crime Allegations
Nvidia CEO Claims Chinese Military Reluctance to Use US AI Technology
Hong Kong Advances Digital Asset Strategy to Address Economic Challenges
Australia Rules Out Pre‑commitment of Troops, Reinforces Defence Posture Amid US‑China Tensions
Martha Wells Says Humanity Still Far from True Artificial Intelligence
Nvidia Becomes World’s First Four‑Trillion‑Dollar Company Amid AI Boom
U.S. Resumes Deportations to Third Countries After Supreme Court Ruling
Excavation Begins at Site of Mass Grave for Children at Former Irish Institution
Iranian President Reportedly Injured During Israeli Strike on Secret Facility
EU Delays Retaliatory Tariffs Amid New U.S. Threats on Imports
Trump Defends Attorney General Pam Bondi Amid Epstein Memo Backlash
Renault Shares Drop as CEO Luca de Meo Announces Departure Amid Reports of Move to Kering
Senior Aides for King Charles and Prince Harry Hold Secret Peace Summit
Anti‑Semitism ‘Normalised’ in Middle‑Class Britain, Says Commission Co‑Chair
King Charles Meets David Beckham at Chelsea Flower Show
If the Department is Really About Justice: Ghislaine Maxwell Should Be Freed Now
NYC Candidate Zohran Mamdani’s ‘Antifada’ Remarks Spark National Debate on Political Language and Economic Policy
President Trump Visits Flood-Ravaged Texas, Praises Community Strength and First Responders
From Mystery to Meltdown, Crisis Within the Trump Administration: Epstein Files Ignite A Deepening Rift at the Highest Levels of Government Reveals Chaos, Leaks, and Growing MAGA Backlash
Trump Slams Putin Over War Death Toll, Teases Major Russia Announcement
Reparations argument crushed
Rainmaker CEO Says Cloud Seeding Paused Before Deadly Texas Floods
A 92-year-old woman, who felt she doesn't belong in a nursing home, escaped the death-camp by climbing a gate nearly 8 ft tall
French Journalist Acquitted in Controversial Case Involving Brigitte Macron
Elon Musk’s xAI Targets $200 Billion Valuation in New Fundraising Round
Kraft Heinz Considers Splitting Off Grocery Division Amid Strategic Review
Trump Proposes Supplying Arms to Ukraine Through NATO Allies
EU Proposes New Tax on Large Companies to Boost Budget
Trump Imposes 35% Tariffs on Canadian Imports Amid Trade Tensions
Junior Doctors in the UK Prepare for Five-Day Strike Over Pay Disputes
US Opens First Rare Earth Mine in Over 70 Years in Wyoming
Kurdistan Workers Party Takes Symbolic Step Towards Peace in Northern Iraq
Bitcoin Reaches New Milestone of $116,000
Biden’s Doctor Pleads the Fifth to Avoid Self-Incrimination on President’s Medical Fitness
Grok Chatbot Faces International Backlash for Antisemitic Content
Severe Heatwave Claims 2,300 Lives Across Europe
NVIDIA Achieves Historic Milestone as First Company Valued at $4 Trillion
Declining Beer Consumption Signals Cultural Shift in Germany
Linda Yaccarino Steps Down as CEO of X After Two Years
US Imposes New Tariffs on Brazilian Exports Amid Political Tensions
Azerbaijan and Armenia are on the brink of a historic peace deal.
Emails Leaked: How Passenger Luggage Became a Side Income for Airport Workers
Polish MEP: “Dear Leftists - China is laughing at you, Russia is laughing, India is laughing”
BRICS Expands Membership with Indonesia and Ten New Partner Countries
Weinstein Victim’s Lawyer Says MeToo Movement Still Strong
U.S. Enacts Sweeping Tax and Spending Legislation Amid Trade Policy Shifts
Football Mourns as Diogo Jota and Brother André Silva Laid to Rest in Portugal
×