With the Carnival Virgin Islands postponed amid the coronavirus pandemic, the popular St Thomas festival is going virtual. 

That means you can bring the rhythm of one of the Caribbean’s hottest carnivals right into your home. 

The US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism’s Division of Festival has launched what it’s calling “Home Wuk,” a series of online social gatherings “designed to create a sense of community, camaraderie and a ‘virtual’ carnival experience. 

Carnival Virgin Islands had been scheduled to run from April 3 through May 4. 

“We know everyone was looking forward to Carnival, but postponing it was the right thing to do to make sure we help stop the virus from spreading,” said Ian Turnbull, Director of the Division of Festivals. “With the ‘Home Wuk’ series, we can lift people’s spirits and bring the VI Carnival vibe to everyone in the safety of their homes.”

The first “Home Wuk” party was held digitally on March 28 on the Division of Festivals’ Facebook page, in partnership with Insomniacs J’ouvert Troupe. 

It was headlined by USVI native DJ Avalanche. 

The nearly 2.5-hour event featured music from across the Virgin Islands and the wider Caribbean. 

The next “Home Wuk” party will be held on April 4 at 8PM, following one April 1 at 8PM dubbed “Quarantine Cooler Fete.”

It’s a clever, creative initiative from the Division of Festivals, which launched last year in a bid to “enhance” the US Virgin Islands’ already strong festival ecosystem.  

For more, visit USVI Festivals. 

— CJ