U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS (June 18, 2020) – The 66th annual St. John Celebration, which was set for June 3 to July 4, 2020, has been canceled, but organizers have announced a “pop-up” virtual festival which will run from June 27 to July 4.

U.S. Virgin Islands Commissioner of Tourism Joseph Boschulte stated that due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and restrictions on mass gatherings in the Territory, which will likely extend through the summer, the Division of Festivals team made the practical decision to cancel this year’s celebration.

“We will, however, build on the virtual activities our team rolled out for Carnival Virgin Islands on St. Thomas, and we will take our music, culture and pageantry into the homes of thousands of Virgin Islanders and potential visitors to our islands,” said Commissioner Boschulte, who added that the Department of Tourism received tremendous positive feedback from the online social activities, which included musical performances as well as replays of previous carnival activities.

Commissioner Boschulte, along with Ian Turnbull, Director of the Division of Festivals, thanked Governor Albert Bryan Jr., fellow government colleagues, sponsors and volunteers for ensuring the success of St. Thomas’ Virtual Carnival, and said the Division looked forward to producing another dynamic virtual festival.

“People thoroughly enjoyed seeing and hearing the sights and sounds of an authentic USVI carnival experience, and our goal is to offer more festival vibes to help Virgin Islanders near and far – as well as prospective visitors – feel connected to one another during the pandemic,” Turnbull said.