Emancipation Gardens on St. Croix will be the scene of cultural festivities celebrating the ties that bind the people of the U.S. and British Virgin Islands this weekend, according to Government House. Beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, Gov. John deJongh Jr. will roll out the red carpet for a delegation from the BVI.
The celebration will feature vendors selling fruits and vegetables, arts and crafts, basket weaving, broom making and traditional desserts. There will also be traditional games, a coal pot cook off, musical entertainment and a cultural presentation at four locations.
“Once again, Cecile and I look forward to the events that include an All Star fast-pitch softball game at Emile Griffith Park on Friday night and a cultural presentation in downtown St. Thomas on Saturday," deJongh said in a statement. "While we do much work on issues pertinent to the two territories year round, the celebration which alternates between the USVI and the BVI each year affords us the opportunity to gather in a more relaxed social setting and as this year’s theme suggest, ‘Celebrate the ties that bind us.’”
He said the bond between the British Virgin Islands and the United States Virgin Islands is undeniably strong and beneficial to both. This kinship is based on history, heritage, proximity, economic relationships and common values.
The festivities will require some traffic changes according to Government House:
– From 9 p.m. Friday to 2 p.m. Saturday, a left turn westbound onto Norre Gade at the Zora intersection will not be allowed;
– At the Cardow intersection at the head of Main Street, traffic will not be allowed to make a left turn and travel east on Norre Gade. All traffic will either be routed to Government Hill or Main Street;
– Veterans Drive and DA corner intersection: no left turn will be permitted onto the roadway that runs south to north adjacent to Emancipation Garden;
– On Saturday from noon to 4 p.m.: Traffic traveling north on Fireburn Hill to the Catharineberg intersection will not be allowed to turn right. Traffic will be directed towards Mafolie Hill roadways. Traffic from Garden Street northbound to Catharineberg along Denmark Hill will be restricted.
