STT Carnival 2023 Video Coverage (TJJ TV)

USVI St. Thomas Carnival 2023 - Adult Parade - Part 1

Saturday 29th April 2023

(St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands)

USVI St. Thomas Carnival 2023 - Adult Parade - Part 2

Saturday 29th April 2023

(St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands)

USVI St. Thomas Carnival 2023 - Hard Fete: Glow Night

Saturday 29th April 2023

(St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands)

Butter Bread and Jam VI Breakfast Fete

Friday 28th April 2023

(St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands)

Escape 2 Paradise "The Ultimate Day Party" 2023

Friday 28th April 2023

(St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands)

USVI St. Thomas Carnival 2023 - Jamrock Meets Rockcity

Friday 28th April 2023

(St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands)

USVI St. Thomas Carnival 2023 - J'Ouvert

Thursday 27th April 2023

(St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands)

USVI St. Thomas Carnival 2023 - Local Addikshun: Rep VI Flag

Thursday 27th April 2023

(St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands)

USVI St. Thomas Carnival 2023 - Food Fair

Wednesday 26th April 2023

(St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands)

PTO - The Ultimate Day Party Experience

Wednesday 26th April 2023

(St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands)

USVI St. Thomas Carnival 2023 - Sofrito: Int'l Night

Wednesday 26th April 2023

(St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands)

USVI St. Thomas Carnival 2023 - Steel Pan & Teen Tramp

Tuesday 25th April 2023

(St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands)

USVI St. Thomas Carnival 2023 - Bang-A-Lang: Greek Night

Tuesday 25th April 2023

(St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands)

USVI St. Thomas Carnival 2023 - Endless Wuk feat. Machel Montano

Monday 24th April 2023

(St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands)

USVI ST. THOMAS CARNIVAL 2023 PHOTOS, VIDEOS AND REVIEW

» Photo Galleries » Carnival » U.S. Virgin Islands » 2023

Illuminating our Culture for the World to See

AH AH! Bend Right Over!!

A Virgin Island virgin, I (Sammy Juice) got my first taste of St. Thomas Carnival on the opening night of the Carnival Village (Pupa Kelly Musical Arena), aptly named Endless Wuk. I thought it was named that because of headliner Machel Montano’s performance that night, but little did I know they were just giving us a heads up of what’s in store for the rest of the week. And before I forget, it is quite noteworthy that all the village night concerts are absolutely free and open to the public. Yes, you get to see a full MM performance for FREE. Thankfully our next event was the Steelpan and Teen Tramp the next afternoon, giving us ample time to recover from the Cane Rum and Sweet Juice’s birthday celebrations the night before. This was a fairly small ‘chip and bounce’ along the Main Street of Charlotte Amalie, accompanied by pan orchestras of youth players. Big up to the Iron Man! Back to the village again for Bang-A-Lang: Greek Night, another concert but this time featuring Jam Band who had the crowd going wild with their localized renditions of popular international hit songs. These Virgin Islanders sure do love their bands.

Sea Trek at Coral World

Photo: Sea Treking at Coral World Ocean Park

It’s now Wednesday morning and we’ve decided to skip breakfast. Why? 1) We're going Sea Trekking! Our team took a guided walk on the ocean floor at Coral World Ocean Park enjoying all the wonders of a coral reef. And 2) It's Food Fair at Emancipation Gardens, and an empty stomach equals more room for all the food and snacks on sale, along with the free samples galore. There were booths of fresh cooked local foods, preserves, local fruits and vegetables, plants, hand-crafted items, artwork, and even alcohol infused popcorn (s/o to Tipsy Pops VI) all accompanied by local bands and steelpan performing throughout the day. After getting your bellyful and dropping off all your shopping, it’s time to take some Paid Time Off and hit up PTO - The Ultimate Day Party Experience where the Party Tun Ova. Talk about pace... From a nice swinging intimate fete then back at the village for Sofrito: International Night. Goyo and Frank Reyes had the entire Spanish community of St. Thomas in attendance, singing along like a beautiful choir. Then came VIBE – Virgin Island Based Entertainment a local favorite band, because like I mentioned before, VI folk love their bands! Then the crowd transformed again for the third time in one night, because stage front became a mini-Dominica for Triple Kay and Asa Banton. It was powder and water and everything else in the air!

Team No Sleep! Is J’Ouvert Mawnin! There were lots of troupes, most with a live band performing on a music truck to give you that rhythm and set the pace for the road. Big up to DJ Avalanche and Insomniacs band for having the most vibes on the road, from takeoff until the road’s end. Being a Trini though had me surprised to see the little amount of paint and powder in the J’Ouvert but what it lacked in ‘duttiness’ was more than compensated in vibe. Everyone had a great time with smiles, laughs and dancing all around. As day turned to night, you guessed it, we’re back at the Carnival Village for Local Addikshun – Rep Your VI Flag. This concert highlighted local talent, their musical heartthrob Adam O and the energy god Pumpa.

Team No Sleep became “Team, I need to sleep” on Friday morning as I tapped out and let the Carnival Ref and Sweet Juice hold down the fort at Butter Bread and Jam VI Breakfast Fete. I managed to hear part of Teddyson John and Skinny Fabulous’ performances from the hotel and it sounded like a great event, but I needed to recover and be ready for the Escape to Paradise Day Party and Jamrock Meets Rockcity concert. Again, it was difficult for me to wrap my mind around seeing local reggae legend Dezarie and Jamaican superstars Romain Virgo and Shenseea perform in a free concert. And better yet, the V.I.'s very own R. City made a surprised appearance during Shenseea's set. If I got locked away... And we lost it all today... Tell me honestly, would you still love me the same? Mad respect to the USVI Division of Festivals for doing such an awesome job.

Saving the best for last, Saturday brought the Adult Parade. Pumpa’s most recent hit, The A-List dominated the streets as the instructions to 'bend right ova' were heeded by all the beautiful ladies. Troupes showcased beautiful, vibrant costumes accompanied by music trucks and live bands as masqueraders paraded through Main Street. There were also dance routines and skits performed at the judging points that highlighted different cultural aspects of the island. After chipping through the town and watching the sun set over the gorgeous waterfront, it's back to de Village one last time for Hard Fete – Glow Night. Big fete with big flag going overhead like canopy. The Viking and Viqueen, Bunji Garlin and Fay Ann Lyons had the crowd in a tizzy and drained every last bit of energy left of the crowd. A perfect end to an amazing carnival.

Peace, Love and Jungle Juice-ness,
The Sammy Juice

The Carnival Ref at USVI St. Thomas Carnival 2023

We Love Carnival ... We Know Carnival ... WE ARE CARNIVAL

CARNIVAL	U.S. Virgin Islands - St. Thomas
GENERAL INFORMATION
Duration	Wednesday to Monday. J'Ouvert takes place Thursday morning and the Parade on Saturday. There are free (yes, FREE!) concerts every day in the Carnival Village with both local and international headliners.
Parade Day	Adult's Parade takes place on the Saturday. Mas bands are called "Troupes" and if a float is included then it is called a "Floupe".
Currency	United States Dollar
Temperature	The US Virgin Islands have a tropical climate. Temperatures throughout the year are between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius (77-86° Fahrenheit). The best time to visit the U.S. Virgin Islands is April to June, when you can expect mild weather and very little rainfall.
TJJ Recommended Hotel	Bluebeards Castle & Resort. It's an historic property dating back to the 1600's. The resort occupies an entire hilltop with spectacular views overlooking the harbor and town of Charlotte Amalie.
Best places to stay	If you want to be within striking distance to the Carnival action, you should stay in Charlotte Amalie area. If you desire having sand in your toes on a daily basis, then choose any of their popular Beach Resorts.
Communication / Mobile Providers	If you have a mainland U.S. mobile plan, it should operate seamlessly, and without any roaming charges, in the U.S. Virgin Islands. This should definitely be the case for both AT&T and T-Mobile. If you're with another carrier, call and confirm if you're good or will need one of their international/roaming plans.
Transportation	The best way to get around any U.S. Virgin Island is in a car – either your own rental or a taxi. Elite Limousine took good care of us, and in fine style. Shout out to Perez, Shamari and Freddie. Too easy!
Flights	Fly into Cyril E. King International Airport (STT) located on the southwestern side of St. Thomas - approximately four miles east of the capital city, Charlotte Amalie. If traveling back to the United States, you will have to clear U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) when leaving the U.S. Virgin Islands, so give yourself extra time (3 hours to be on the safe side).
FOOD AND DRINKS
Cost of a 2 Piece Combo	US$11.99 for a 2 Piece Chicken Combo. Using our KFC global standard, a 2 Pc. Chicken Combo, which includes individual side & medium drink, cost $5.99 in the US.
Late Night Eats	Carnival Village or 'deh Village' as it is locally referred to, has lots of booths that sell local foods and drinks til the wee hours of morning. Johnny Cakes are your best friend, but be prepared for a lil wait.
TJJ Favourite Restaurants	Blue 11 (Yacht Haven Grande) Indigo 4 (The SHOPS at Yacht Haven Grande) Mafolie (866 feet above sea level) Sunset Grille (Secret Harbour Beach)
Local Food	Johnny Cakes, Dumb Bread, Kalaloo, Gooseberry (Cherry) Stew, Tamon (Tamarind) Stew, Tart (coconut, pineapple, guava, mango & strawberry).
Local Drinks	Bushwacker, Painkiller. Enjoy their Cruzan® rum. Go brave with the Cane Rum.
Alcohol purchase	The majority of Troupes (jouvert and mas bands) are drinks inclusive.
FOLLOW U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS DIVISION OF FESTIVALS
Instagram	@usvifestivals
Facebook	facebook.com/USVIFestivals
Twitter	twitter.com/usvitourism
Website	www.usvifestivals.vi

Note: TJJ Recommends Events, Food, Mas Bands and Hotels based on where we have been and the services we have used. For events, we recommend the ones with a vibe of 8 or higher.

Disclaimer: Professional and experienced TJJ Fet-a-lot-athon® Party Gurus have rigorously tested these Carnival grounds and are providing said recommendations based on the fundamentals that the audience is a healthy rum drinking islander. If while performing any of these actions you begin to feel any dizziness, fatigue or pain please stop and consult your physician immediately.

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