Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
MAY
B.V.I. Music Festival,
Tortola. Music—mostly
reggae—drowns out the sea at this music
festival on Cane Garden Bay in Tortola, the
island's best beach. Musicians come from
all over the West Indies to perform. For
more information, visit www.bvimusic
festival.com. Late May.
JUNE
Mango Melee and Tropical Fruit Festival,
St. Croix. Mango aficionados and devotees
of other tropical fruit converge here for
tastings, cooking demonstrations, and con-
tests. For more information, call
&
340/
692-2874,
or visit www.sgvbg.org. Late
June.
Virgin Islands Bartender Olympics,
St.
Croix. Inspired by the Tom Cruise movie
Cocktail,
bartenders and servers through-
out the Virgin Islands come together to
show off their skills in mixing fruit punches
and other drinks. The best bartender and
best server are named, and there's plenty
to drink. For more information, call
&
340/514-8226.
Usually late June.
St John Festival,
St. John. Known also as
“Carnival,” this month-long cultural event
takes place on St. John, with steel-pan
concerts, calypso shows, parades, beauty
pageants, and fireworks displays. For more
information, call
&
800/372-USVI
[8784].
The carnival begins the first week of June
and lasts until July 4.
JULY
Independence Day,
St. John. The elements
of Carnival are combined with emancipa-
tion and independence celebrations in this
festive event, which culminates on July 4
with a big parade. Thousands of St. Thomas
residents flock to St. John for the parades,
calypso bands, colorful costumes, and
events leading up to the selection of Ms. St.
John and the King of the Carnival. Call the
St. John tourist office at
&
340/776-6201
for more details. July 4.
AUGUST
B.V.I. Emancipation Celebrations,
Tortola.
Many visitors from other Caribbean islands
hop over to Road Town, in Tortola, for this
2-week party. Join locals as they dance to
fungi and reggae bands, and take part in
the Emancipation Day Parade and other
carnival activities and festivities. For infor-
mation, call the B.V.I. Tourist Board Office at
&
284/494-3701.
Early August.
U.S. Virgin Islands Open/Atlantic Blue
Marlin Tournament,
St. Thomas. This pres-
tigious St. Thomas-centered charity event
(proceeds go to the Boy Scouts) is also
eco-friendly—trophies are based on the
number of blue marlin caught, tagged, and
released. The tournament is open to any-
one who's interested, and sportsfishers
come from around the world to participate.
For more information, call the VI Council of
the Boy Scouts of America at
&
888/234-
7484
or 340/775-9500; www.abmt.vi. Late
August (weekend closest to the full moon).
OCTOBER
Virgin Islands Fashion Week,
St. Thomas.
Aspiring designers from across the Carib-
bean, the United States, and even West
Africa fly into St. Thomas to showcase their
latest fashion designs. At the Caribbean
Catwalk Runway show, beach and casual
fashions are the draw. Nearly all events,
including rap party, are open to the public.
For more information, call
&
340/344-
6078.
Five days in October, dates vary.
NOVEMBER
Annual Holiday Arts, Crafts & Music Festi-
val,
St. Thomas. This annual festival, which
takes place in Tillett Gardens in St. Thomas,
includes displays from over 30 local artists,
along with live music and entertainment.
There are even free activities for kids. For
information, visit www.tillettfoundation.org.
DECEMBER
Christmas in St. Croix.
This major event
launches the beginning of a 12-day celebra-
tion that includes Christmas Day, Christmas
Second Day (Dec 26), New Year's Eve
(called “Old Year's Day”), and New Year's
Day. It ends on January 6, the Feast of the
Three Kings, with a parade of flamboyantly
attired merrymakers. For information, call
the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tour-
ism office in Christiansted at
&
340/
773-0495.
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