The ever-popular St John Celebration event is back this year, in a safe format amid the pandemic. 

The US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism’s Division of Festivals will hold two events for St John Celebration on July 3 and 4, respectively. 

That will include the Love City Food Fair and Love Fete, both of which are being held to encourage visitors and residents to experience the festivities safety — and to promote the Division’s “Vaccinate to Party Safe” initiative. 

“Public health safety and celebrating our culture can coexist,” said Ian Turnbull, Director of the Division of Festivals. 

The first event, the Love City Food Fair, will be held July from 11 AM to 4 PM, hosted by noted Virgin Islander Pamela Richards and Chef Guy Mitchell, former White House Chef. 

It will include more than 30 vendors showcasing local food and arts and crafts, with entertainment by Pan Dragons and VerCtyle Band.

All vendors must be vaccinated, with mandatory mask wearing. Attendee capacity will be limited on an hourly basis. 

The second event, Love Fete, will be held July 4 from 7 PM to 12 AM, with music performances by Virgin Islands bands Cool Session Brass and Spectrum Band, as well as local artists John Gotti, Rudy Live and Star Martin, headlined by Trinidadian soca artist Patrice Roberts. 

It will accommodate 400 patrons, all of whom will be vaccinated, with health protocols like mask wearing and physical distancing. 

IT will also be streamed life on the Division of Festivals’ online platforms. 

“We are thankful that more and more visitors and Virgin Islanders are getting vaccinated,” said Joseph Boschulte, Commissioner of Tourism, U.S. Virgin Islands. “This allows us to add more events to our festivals calendar, and move to the full return of our annual celebrations, which highlight our vibrant cultural traditions.”

— CJ