Each Caribbean islands celebrates carnival in some way shape or form. TheU.S. Virgin Islands is made up of three islands, St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John and each has its own carnival or festival celebration. In the month of December St. Croix begins their festivities. April is for St.Thomas and St. John celebrates from mid June to July.

Right now is St. John’s festival season! Carnival is a month long celebration that kicks off with a series of steel pan performances, pageants, and calypso shows. It continues on with the Food Fair, where locals sell home made traditional dishes and treats. This is obviously one of the best events and one of my personal faves!

Through out the month there may be a number of musical venues that include local artist as well as performers from other Caribbean islands. It all builds up to the opening of the carnival/festival village. This is where we come together and have a really great time. As the sounds of Soca and Calypso music fills the air, we dance, we eat, we drink..we celebrate!

St.Johns festival ends on July 4th where we remember Independence Day. However, on July 3rd, the entire Virgin Islands celebrates Transfer Day. On July 3, 1917, the then Danish West Indies owned by Denmark were sold to The United States and became the U.S. Virgin Islands. So each year we gather as a people to remember and to celebrate how far we have come.

Happy Carnival!!