St. Croix also features many new eateries, including Uptown Eatery, 17 ̊/64 ̊ Kitchen + Bar, Club Comanche RAW, Smoke STX BBQ and Bottle Shop, Too. Chez, as well as Braata and AMA at Cane Bay, which are owned and operated by Chef Digby Stridiron. “VI TO THE BONE” CULTURAL CELEBRATIONS Throughout the year, festivals and carnivals showcase the islands’ heritage in many different ways. The USVI is home to not
one or two, but three, distinctive carnival and festival celebrations each year, offering visitors multiple opportunities to experience the unique flavor of each island. Virgin Islands Carnival on St. Thomas is a month-long celebration in April, where friends and family reconnect to enjoy the captivating music, vivacious dance, savory cuisine and spirited pageantry that make Virgin Islands Carnival one of the most popular cultural celebrations in the Caribbean. In the summer, the St. John Festival combines the excitement of masquerading with the spirit of emancipation—July 3, 1848, which marks the date slaves were emancipated in the USVI—as well as the celebration of the Fourth of July. In honor of their emancipation, the St. John Festival takes place in late June and traditionally culminates on July 4. It’s an exciting time of year, as the streets of downtown Cruz Bay fill with revelers from St. John and neighboring islands, all coming together to enjoy local and regional bands, dancing, pageantry, local food and drinks. The Crucian Christmas Festival on St. Croix is an exciting celebration featuring traditional Quelbe music, calypso competitions, soca and other popular music, street tramps, beauty queen pageants, and a food and crafts fair. The month-long festival begins the first Saturday in December and ends the first Saturday of the New Year.
“PURPOSE IN PARADISE” The Department of Tourism’s Purpose in Paradise program enhances the Territory’s network of community-based philanthropic activities and strengthens its ability to attract visitors in search of purpose-driven travel opportunities. The initiative pairs visitors who are interested in helping the Territory’s recovery efforts with local nonprofit organizations in need of assistance with specific projects. In addition to the opportunity to participate in a purpose-driven project, Purpose in Paradise allows visitors who may not be able to donate time in-person to contribute financially to the Territory’s recovery. Groups such as Friends of Virgin Islands National Park (St. John), the St. Croix Landmarks Society and the Family Resource Center in St. Thomas are just a few examples of the many 501(c)(3) organizations that are performing essential community-based work. For more information, go to www.visitusvi.com.
FOURTH QUARTER 2019 | TRAVEL & CRUISE 47