"carnival" celebration in st.thomas

[cruiseawaits]

Does anyone know if the island celebrates "Carnival"? We will be in port on the 15th(day before "FAT TUESDAY") on the Victory and wanted to know how crazy it is.

 

THANKS

[MalNZ]

We will be there on the 1st of May and I thought that this was the end of the month's celebrations and that there was a street parade that day.

 

Does anyone know?

 

Mal NZ

[Rocketdyne Retiree]

Yes there is an adult parade on May 1. The link is www.vicarnival.com. However, it doesn't give you much info. Am contacting Godfrey from Godfrey Tours to see if there is any "touristy bleacher seating" to view the parade. And if tickets are needed in advance.

[The Islander]

The original poster asked about Carnival as related to Fat Tuesday in February so Mardi Gras. Some of the local bars might do special happy hours and things for this day but the island as a whole doesn't do anything. On St. Croix they do a parade and some other events; its called Mardi-Croix.

 

The Carnival we celebrate on St. Thomas (and also on St. Croix and St. John) is a... Caribbean Carnival. On each of the three islands its basically a month long period with various events. On St. Thomas it happens in April (sometimes including the first couple days of May), on St. John its June/July and on St. Croix its December/January.

 

On St. Thomas we call it VI Carnival, St. John its called the St. John Festival and on St. Croix the Crucian Christmas Festival.

 

The events for Carnival include: pageants, food fairs, music shows and concerts, music compeititions, boat races, the village which is like a small fair ground with kids rides and nightly entertainment/bands as well as food/drinks; and the big finale is the parade(s).

 

Many of the events are evening events however cruise ship visitors to St. Thomas can enjoy some of the big events which are during the day. These include:

 

Adults Parade: May 1st, 2010

Childrens Parade: April 30, 2010

Food and Crafts Fair: April 28, 2010

 

For an idea of what the parade is like try this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtPf5HGMa9c. That is for St. John's Festival Parade which is smaller than the Adult's parade on St. Thomas however it will give you an idea of the costumes, troupes, music and atmosphere of the event.

 

As for tickets and seating for the parades: its a free event to watch, no tickets necessary. Seating, there are no bleachers set up for viewers with the exception of one for government officials and special guests and one for senior citizens that are part of the local senior citizen program. Everyone else brings folding chairs, umbrellas, coolers with drinks and snacks and stake out a good spot along the route to spend a few hours or the whole day watching the parade.

 

Hope that helps,

 

--Islander