Lots of people come to St John for our spectacular beaches and pristine waters. However, St John has also become a destination spot for great music, art, challenging road races, and, of course sailing. While we don't always keep on a 'schedule' (so be sure to double check actual dates and times), below is a sampling of some of the activities around our island:
JANUARY:
New Years Day - January 1 Although on St John it is not unusual to have folks celebrate New Year's throughout January!
Three Kings' Day January 6 - Epiphany, commonly known as Three Kings’ Day in the United States, is on January 6. It celebrates the three wise men’s visit to baby Jesus and also remembers his baptism, according to the Christian Bible’s events. The United States (US) Virgin Islands observe the day as a public holiday.
FEBRUARY:
Valentine's Day - February 14 (2012) - Valentine's Day is a HUGE day on St John as it should be since the nickname for St John is Love City! To encourage couples to renew their marriage vows Anne Marie offers a free marriage vow renewal ceremony every Valentine's Day, 5pm on Trunk Bay beach. In the past 9 years 810 couples have renewed their marriage vows on Valentine's Day with Anne Marie! 2012 will mark the 10th 'anniversary' for this wonderful event. Join in and celebrate your love!
St. John Arts & Music Festival - Usually mid-February. St John has become a magnet for artists of all sorts. This week long celebration highlights their talents. Numerous free lunch and dinner time concerts in Cruz Bay park and special presentations at St. John School of the Arts. Also daily food fairs and craft displays. The varied island music includes scratch bands, reggae, school marching bands and church choirs. The Artists' Association of St. John holds an exhibit in tandem, and local artists display their works around town at the various galleries. The Epiphany players, St. John's community theater group put on special presentations. This 11 day art-fest raises funds for art scholarships for the community youth. For further information contact: Frank Langley: (340) 779-4038, president of the all volunteer not for profit organization, the St. John Arts Festival Inc.
8 Tuff Mile Road Race - February 25, 2012 (Saturday) - This one is for you if you are up for a challenge. Whether you are a walker or runner lots of people turn out for this race which starts in Cruz Bay and ends in Coral Bay.
MARCH:
St John Blues Festival - 2012 would mark the 10th anniversary for this Festival; however, word is that the major backer (Steve Simon) has moved off island and that the 'Blues Cruise' of previous years will not appear again in 2012. Never the less, St John will be alive with music as it is most every week of the year.
St Patrick's Day Parade - March 17 - Claims to be the shortest St Paddie's Day parade anywhere (short but great)!
International Rolex Regatta - Usually late March; in 2012 will be March 21 - 25.
Yacht Club Flotilla - Usually the last weekend in March - The Flotilla benefits the Guy Benjamin Elementary School in Coral Bay and is a great day of sailing and cookouts.
Transfer Day - March 31st marks an event that occurred over eight decades ago, when the Danish West Indies were formally ceded to the United States by Denmark; thus, becoming the U.S. Virgin Islands, in exchange for twenty-five million dollars (which today is the cost of one or two Peter Bay villas!)
APRIL:
Easter holidays - Sunday, April 8, 2012. Another very popular period on St John. Many celebrate starting on Thursday through Easter Monday.
St Thomas Carnival (OK, not a 'St John' event but have to support our sister island)
MAY:
VI Friends of the National Park 'Beach-to-Beach' swim (Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, in 2012, May 27) - This challenging open water swim in the pristine and protected waters of VI National Park. There are three courses to choose from, all of which start at Maho Bay Beach. Swim to Cinnamon Bay, swim to Trunk Bay, or go all the way to Hawksnest Bay!
Commodore's Cup Regatta benefitting KATS
Wagapalooza is a super fun dog show benefiting the St John Animal Center (SJAC)
JUNE:
St John Festival "Carnival" begins month long activities including lots of music, parades, and caribbean food! Carnival season is a time for celebrations joined in by the young and old.
JULY:
St John Carnival continues into July (3 and 4) includes the opening of the Festival Village & Cultural Day (Emancipation Day) and concludes with J'ouvert, one of the most popular events of Carnival. It is an early morning party July 4th as people dance through the streets behind their favorite bands; followed by a parade full of lots of moko jumbies and floats and music; and then an evening fireworks over Cruz Bay harbor.
AUGUST:
Love City Triathlon This triathlon consists of a half-mile swim, 14-mile bike ride and a four-mile run. The event begins in Maho Bay, then circles St. John and ends at the Annaberg Ruins. Award divisions for the triathlon are top five male, top five female, top three relays, and the Inter-Island Award. Each team must consist of at least one female, and all three of its members must be individually entered in the triathlon. The top three combined times are declared winners, and each of these teams has its island’s name mounted on a trophy, which will be displayed the sponsor’s establishment. For more information visit www.8tuffmiles.com/landssharks.htm
OCTOBER:
Flavors of St John -October 28, 2011 - A wonderful event highlighting the very talent chefs of St John. Flavors bills itself as an evening on the beach with music, dancing and St John's best food. Dozens of local restaurants and bars prepare samples of their best fare while attendees vote for their favorites. This is the St John Rotary's annual fundraiser that attracts lots of locals and visitors alike. Usually held at the Westin.
No Fleas Please - October - Another fundraising activity for the St John Animal Center (SJAC) usually held at the Ball Field in Cruz Bay. This flea market is a fun day for bargain hunters and good for a good cause.
NOVEMBER:
Coral Bay Thanksgiving Regatta - November 23 - 24, 2011. Peter Muilenberg who built his cowhorn, Breath, on the beach in Coral Bay, founded both the regatta and Coral Bay Yacht Club.The first day of sailing is the single-handed and gaffers race. The regatta's second day features a pursuit-style race, where each boat has an individual start time calculated on handicap and performance the year prior. The 17-nautical mile course wines around the uninhabited islands of Pelican, Flanagan and Le Duck east of Coral Bay. The Regatta is a fundraiser for the Kids and the Sea (KATS) Program. a non-profit marine organization which promotes kids safely having fun on the water through an educational program taught by volunteers. Fun for both islanders and vacationers.
DECEMBER:
St John Singers - Usually mid-December with one concert in Cruz Bay (usually at either St Ursula's Church or Nazareth Lutheran Church) and one in Coral Bay (Moravian Church). Their Christmas concerts are not to be missed! The long-standing conductor, John Cahill, presents wonderful guest artists to complement the talents of our very special St John Singers. The Choral group is partially funded through the VI Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Mongoose Junction All-Island Holiday Party - An 'open invitation' island fancy party hosted by Mongoose Junction and held (usually) on the second Saturday evening in December. Lots of great music, food, and spirits flow and flow and ...
'Regular' events*:
Film night on St John - The St John Film Society comprises a group of local filmmakers and film enthusiasts, all volunteers, who have joined together for the purpose of exposing St John audiences of all ages to film and filmmakers from throughout the Caribbean and beyond. Their focus is on independent films that feature Caribbean-related cultures and issues. The society is not-for-profit and operates under the financial umbrella of the St John Community Foundation.
Wine Club - Wine club is held on the last Wednesday of each month, except September, and begins promptly at 6:30pm. Wine Club is a fabulous evening steered by a representative from West Indies Distributors, often accompanied by featured winery owners or managers. Enjoy four or five glasses of wine which are paired perfectly with appetizers by chef Ribelto de Leon Cordero and team. Tickets are required to attend Wine Club. Call 340-693-3304 or stop by to pick up your tickets. Ticket prices: $30 plus $6 gratuity; total $36 per ticket. Come meet other St Johnians or folks just in for the week, either way it should be a fun evening!
*'regular' on St John is defined as 'usual, unless we don't', in other words 'island time' so please check to make sure that the particular event you are interested in attending is still scheduled.
rest of the year.......soon come!
Let us know about your favorite St John events and we will highlight them for all to enjoy!
Whether you live on St John year round or are just planning a short visit to our island, join in on an island event and enjoy our hospitality! It is also a great way of supporting some of St John's wonderful organizations.
