Virgin Islands National Park will commemorate Black History Month with its Folklife Festival 2017. The annual festival will be celebrated from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Feb. 23 and Feb. 24, at the Annaberg Sugar Plantation ruins, St. John.
The theme for the 26th annual Folk-life Festival is “Celebrating Transfer Day from the Danish West Indies to the United States Virgin Islands,” and it will commemorate years of keeping the culture of the Virgin Islands community alive. Over the past 26 years, many cultural bearers from the territory have participated in the festival, and the event this year will continue to provide students an opportunity to learn about their rich heritage and to inspire an appreciation for their culture.
Events scheduled to take place include dancing, storytelling, drumming, mocko jumbies and music. Students will have a chance to participate in cultural demonstrations such as broom making, baking, wood working, drumming and weaving.
The Virgin Islands National Park, Virgin Islands Territorial Government, St. John Community Foundation, Virgin Islands Council on the Arts, Friends of Virgin Islands National Park, Starfish Market, Caneel Bay Resort, Westin Resort, Coconut Coast Studios are sponsoring the event, which is funded in part by a grant from the Virgin Islands Humanities Council.
The National Park extends an invitation to the public to join in the festivities; admission is free. It reminds visitors that parking is limited and they should consider using public transportation.
For more information, contact Ranger Laurel Brannick at 776-6201, ext. 252 or Ranger Gold Hermon at ext. 231.
Visit the National Park’s Web page at www.nps.gov/viis
