Above: the BVI August Festival

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The British Virgin Islands’ August Festival is in full swing, from a festival village and hip-shaking soca and classic j’ouverts.

The Ira Oliver Skelton Festiville opened on July 26 under the theme of “Looking Back at 175 Years of Being Fully Free — Our Culture, Our Heritage and Virgin Islands History.”

This year’s fete pays tribute to the history of the Virgin Islands, and lasts through Sunday, Aug. 10.

Friday saw the Food Fair, followed by a Festival Village concert featuring a lineup including Razor Blades, Tony Rebel and Queen Ifrika, among others.

On Sunday, the BVI held a Freedom March & Emancipation Service, followed by the Miss BVI Pageant that night.

The festivities conclude on Aug. 10 with performances by Baby Cham, VI, Showtime, Jalena, Small Axe, B Breezy and others.