St. Thomas Carnival Committee Announces Pre-Carnival Warm-Up Event, Availability Of Vendor Applications And More

ST. THOMAS — As the VI Carnival Committee (St. Thomas Carnival Committee) readies itself for 2017 festivities, the organization made multiple announcements on Thursday, including a carnival warm-up event happening early next month, the availability of vendor permits, a call to local calypsonians, along with a t-shirt design competition announcement for the territory’s elementary students.

The warm up party, called “Music in the Park”, happens February 3 at Roosevelt Park, from 5:30 p.m. until midnight, according to the committee. The pre-carnival affair will feature Soca divas Lorna Freeman, backed by the Spectrum Band, and Tishelle Knight, backed by the Cool Session Brass, as well as other local artists.

The committee has asked that residents “come out and enjoy the great sounds, sights and tastes of carnival as we prepare for the year’s greatest event, Virgin Islands Carnival 2017, and celebrate “A Centennial Commemoration for our 65th Carnival Celebration””, which is this year’s carnival theme.

Vendors interested in participating in the event can contact the committee’s office at (340) 776-3112 for an application.

Speaking of vendors, the committee also announced the availability of applications at the committee’s office for vendors looking to participate in this year’s Village. For specific details, contact Village Committee Chairperson Wanda Aubain at 340-514-3557. For information regarding the Cultural Fair applications, call the office.

Calypsonians looking to participate in this year’s show are also being urged to contact the committee. Hopefuls should contact the committee’s office before February 15, according to the release.

Finally, the Children’s Activities Committee, a sub-committee, announced a t-shirt design contest.

Artwork submitted for the contest must:

• Capture the concept of the VI Toddlers’ Derby
• Include the VI Carnival theme: “A Centennial Commemoration for Our 65th Carnival Celebration”
• Have a neat and clean appearance for scanning purposes
• Be signed by the student

The student’s name, school attended, grade and contact information must be submitted with the artwork, but not written on the artwork, according to the release. The student with the winning design will be awarded a prize and have his/her artwork placed on the 2017 Toddlers’ Derby T-shirts, which are distributed to all Toddlers’ Derby contestants.

Participants are responsible for submitting all finished artwork to the VICC office by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 3. All submitted artwork will become the property of the VI Carnival Committee. Participation is encouraged from elementary students territory-wide, according to the release.

The carnival season commences on April 1 and runs through the 29 of the same month.