The St. Croix nonprofit History, Culture and Tradition Foundation Inc. is inviting the U.S. Virgin Islands community to a virtual Emancipation Day Commemoration event Saturday, July 3 on the History, Culture and Tradition and WTJX Public Television Facebook pages.
On July 3, 1848, enslaved Africans from all over St. Croix marched to Frederiksted and demanded their freedom. Faced with the insistent crowd that outnumbered his troops, Gov. Peter von Scholten was forced to agree, and Frederiksted earned a second name – Freedom City.
This will be the 173rd Anniversary of Emancipation Day. The day’s events will be geared towards the continued resilience of our islands post 2017 hurricanes and adjusting to the new normal. The theme is Yesterday Today & Tomorrow: The Economic Emancipation and Unity. The event, which will begin at 2 p.m., is completely free and open to the entire St. Croix Community via the internet.
The day’s activities will include a short film and poetry. Musical entertainment will be provided by Laurent “Tippy” Alfred who will also provide reflections on the theme from the perspective of a local business person and professional.
“We will also be blessed by the poetic talent of published author and educator, Geron Richards,” organization members said in a release.
The featured short film “1848” tells the Emancipation Story and features the poetry of Richard A. Schrader, Sr. and orated by talented St. Croix Educational Complex students.
This event is sponsored in part by the Office of the Governor.
The History, Culture and Tradition Foundation was established to promote the cultural and heritage traditions of St. Croix, in particular, and the entire US Virgin Islands in general.
The Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow 2019 Event will be the 171st anniversary of Emancipation Day, and it will be geared towards the continued resilience of our islands post-2017 hurricanes and the youth. The theme is The Economic Empowerment of Our People.
The event, which will begin at 3 p.m., is completely free and open to the entire St. Croix Community. Most of the participants will be members of the younger generation of St. Croix. The day’s activities will include cultural entertainment, orators and poetry. Musical entertainment will be provided by the Superior Court Rising Stars Steel Orchestra and DJ Swain.
Reflections on the theme will be provided by local business people and professionals to include Dr. Kisha Christian, Micah McIntosh and attorney Genevieve Whitaker. Also present will be Alex Quayson-Sackey, international strategic business expert and co-founder of the African Chamber of Commerce. Geron Richards — poet, author and educator — will be there as well.
St. Patrick’s alumni will be onsite with favorite local foods and beverages on sale after the Fort-to-Fort Walk that morning. The public is encouraged to finish up the evening at UCA’s Kitchen and Verne Richards Veterans Park, dancing the night away with Stanley and the Ten Sleepless Knights.
This event is sponsored in part by the Office of the Governor, the V.I. Department of Sports, Parks and Recreation and the V.I. Police Department.
