Social media fans got a preview of the highlights to come from the 2026 St. John Celebration on Wednesday. Division of Festivals Director Ian Turnbull and St. John Administrator Shikima Jones-Sprauve hosted a livestream presentation around noon, hoping to entice residents and visitors to join the fete.
Shortly after the hosts wrapped up the hourlong announcement, bucket trucks appeared near Franklin Powell Sr. Park, stringing pennants overhead ahead of the first event — Pan-O-Rama. Turnbull called the livestream presentation a first for the Division of Festivals as it finds new ways to engage the public.
“It’s a labor of love,” the director said. “St. John is the culmination of all three (major USVI festivals), and it’s a representation of our Emancipation Day.”
Like its counterpart events — springtime on St. Thomas and Christmas season on St. Croix — St. John combines culture, music, food, and pageantry over several days leading up to V.I. Emancipation Day and U.S. Independence Day. This year’s theme is “History and Collaboration with a Musical Mix.”
The mix starts stirring on Sunday when seven steel pan bands are set to perform along the roadway bordering Powell Park. “We’re back in our original spot,” said Division of Festivals Assistant Director Leona Smith. Scheduled performers include Yard Vybes, Gen Fusion, Ulla Muller Elementary School Panatics, St. Thomas All Stars, Superior Court Rising Stars Youth Steel Orchestra, Love City Pan Dragons, and Pan in Motion.
One week after the kickoff, the celebration turns to pageantry with the Royalty Show; three contestants — Liandra Dagou, Alauna Petersen, and Elizabeth Ferrell — compete for the title of Miss St. John on stage in the Cruz Bay Parking Lot, starting at 6 p.m.
Winners of the night’s competitions will be crowned days later at one of Celebration’s most popular events — the Food Fair on June 21. This year’s honoree, Jennifer Williams, will share the spotlight that day. Williams is best known for her homemade pastries and her work as a volunteer supporting Celebration events. “Pastries are her main focus. She works on the committee as well, making johnny cakes,” Smith said.
The next honoree for 2026 will be honored as Celebration Village opens June 28. St. John songbird Tishelle Knight, whose voice has enchanted fans in live performances and recordings as part of Cool Sessions Brass, is expected to snip the ribbon, officially setting off a week of live music.
And former St. John educator Lisa Penn has been named Grand Marshal to lead the festive finale of the fete — the St. John July Fourth Parade.
