The 2025 Annual Agrifest from February 15-17, 2025 offered great food, music, plants, animals and fun! There are many activities for the entire family. As the V.I. Daily News reported, the fair also showcased Crucian culture, tradition and lively entertainment that engaged residents and visitors from all walks of life. The the Guardians of Culture mocko jumbies, led by instructor Zayd Saleem, entertained the crowd with their vibrant performances. Many took the opportunity to get their photos taken with the masked stilt walkers. The final day of entertainment featured an impressive lineup including Big Kyat Sounds, I-Land Boyz Pan Experience, La Vuerza VZ, Black Empire, Kurt Schindler and Unlimited Sounds featuring DJ Felix.
The fair also featured a replica of a historic Crucian home originally designed by former teacher Janice Pemberton-Tutein about 20 years ago. Deputy Commissioner for Agriculture Riise Richards, along with Marjorie Hampson and Joyce Schuster, spoke about the home’s significance in educating young generations on the island’s history. Read the full article from the V. I. Daily News here.
We are excited for the Crucian Christmas Festival and promises to showcase the rich culture of St. Croix, with performances from local and regional artists! According to the VI Consortium, the V.I. Department of Tourism and the Division of Festivals have announced updates to the 2024-2025 Crucian Christmas Festival schedule and Village performance line-up.
Thursday, December 26, 2024 – St. Croix Festival – Prince & Princess Show
Friday, December 27, 2024 – Calypso Monarch Competition
Saturday, December 28, 2024 – Band Clash
Sunday, December 29, 2024 – Cultural Night
Performers: DJ Poppy Pops & Willy Chin, RVP, Stanley TSK, What It Is Band, KES
Monday, December 30, 2024 – International Night
Performers: Unlimited Sound, Triple Kay, Xpress Band, Kruziano, Los Maestros, Manny Manuel Orchestra
Tuesday, December 31, 2024 – DJ Night
Wednesday, January 1, 2025 – Soca Monarch
Thursday, January 2, 2025 – Flag-O-Rama Night
Performers: DJ Avalanche, Lips International, Exodus HD, Blind Earz, Bugz, Sisa, Problem Child, Karnage Temisha, Th3rd, Black Empire
Friday, January 3, 2025 – Reggae Night
Performers: Big Kat, Freeze Int’l, VI Collab (Jahman & Reemah), Luciano, Sizzla Kalonji, Aidonia
Saturday, January 4, 2025 – Madras Mas Night
Performers: DJ Karl, International Steven, Rudy Live & QC Deh Band, Trilla G, VIO Int’l, Pumpa, Machel Montano
Question: “What holiday event on St. Croix has special meaning to you?
Christie’s Answer: Each year we attend as many local events as possible. They are so much fun, and a great way to bump into people we have not seen for a while. This year we met some friends, set up our chairs near the fort, and watched the Lighted Boat Parade. It had been a few years since we attended, and it was so much fun! We bought some street food, sat in our chairs, and enjoyed the motor and sail boats as they paraded past all decorated with lights! Many went all out in their decorations, mostly with a holiday theme. There was a flock of little sail boats, a Barbie boat, a jet ski car with a Grinch driving it, and many ablaze with lights! After they had circled the harbor a couple of times, we were entertained with a fabulous fireworks display! This is truly a family event. Children were running around in the grassy area by the fort, Santa was strolling about in his new USVI madras coat, and all of the lights in the streets downtown were lit. Love it!
View our video about St. Croix events during the holidays include scenes from the Lighted Boat Parade!
“Diversity, Artistry, and Culture Galore” is the energizing theme for the 2023-2024 Crucian Christmas Festival on St. Croix! A plethora of events await locals, residents, and visitors alike. Featured events include beauty pageants, twelve nights of the cultural village, parades, a food festival, j’ouvert, street tramps, live musical performances from local and international artists, and much, much more.
Festival events will begin on December 26th with the highly anticipated Prince and Princess, Duke and Duchess, and Junior Miss pageants. The Calypso Monarch Competition and Miss St. Croix Pageant follow closely behind, taking place on December 27th and 28th, respectively. Since 1952, when the first Miss St. Croix Festival Queen was crowned, pageantry has been a fundamental part of Crucian Christmas Festival. More than sixty women have held this coveted title, with a new festival queen to be crowned in 2023.
The cultural village is another part of Crucian Christmas Festival that has been around since the beginning. Held in downtown Frederiksted, the Festival Village will open on Friday, December 29th with International Cultural Night powered by Cruzan Rum. The indelible Crucian culture will be on full display, with live musical performances from Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights, Xpress Band, Cool Session, and Spectrum Band. Each night dons a different theme to ensure there is something for everyone to enjoy. Other highlights of the village include Coney Island Carnival rides and games, plus numerous booths serving local foods and drinks like johnny cakes, patés, conch in butter sauce, seasoned rice, souse and potato salad, coquito, passion fruit juice, and more.
Looking for a taste of even more Crucian flavor? The Food, Arts, and Crafts Fair takes place on Wednesday, January 3rd, with the best Crucian chefs, cooks, and artisans flaunting their finest culinary skills and offering local delicacies like kallaloo, red peas soup, fish and fungi, Vienna cakes, tamarind stew, and other delicious treats. The next day, revelers emerge from their homes before the break of dawn for j’ouvert — an early morning dance party whose name originates from the French words “jour” and “ouvert,” meaning daybreak or morning. From 5am into the late morning hours, the streets of Frederiksted will be peppered with people — both young and old — dancing behind 8-foot-tall music trucks surrounded by paint, water, and powder. Crucian Christmas Festival culminates with the Children and Adult Parades on January 5th and 6th with bright, colorful costumes, lively music, mocko jumbie performances, quadrille dancers, and limitless vibes!
For more information about 2023- 2024 Crucian Christmas Festival, visit USVI Festivals Facebook page at www.facebook.com/USVIFestivals.
The 27th annual Mango Melee Tropical Fruit and Mango Festival was held in at the St. George Village Botanical Garden in St Croix on July 9, 2023. This popular family-friendly event offers kids activities, educational workshops, food competitions, tropical fruit demonstrations and tastings, and the ever-popular Mango Eating Contests. Visitors enjoy local food and drinks, arts and craft vendors, cultural dance performances, Moko Jumbies, music and more throughout the day. As the VI Consortium reported, Yasmine Tuitt, 14, defended her title and emerged as the winner of the Mango Eating Competition for the second consecutive year at the 27th annual Mango Melee. 9-year-old Anita Thomas won the Mango Eating Competition in the children category. Congratulations!
Many local vendors also had tables selling mango and tropical fruit delicacies and products. It is a great annual event that brings the community together!
The St. Croix Source has some great photos, check it out here.
