Pictures of the USVI's First Pate Festival, held on June 2023 By. DEAR PRODUCTION, V.I. CONSORTIUM
SMT Enterprise and Laced Legacy is inviting the community to the 2nd annual Virgin Islands Paté Festival, a family-friendly event celebrating the cultural delicacy of Paté. The festival, which runs from 1:00 pm to 9:00 pm on June 22, aims to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for vendors and attendees of all ages, offering food, fun, and entertainment.
The festival will charge a general admission fee of $5 for children aged 6-12 and seniors 65 and up, and $10 for adults aged 13-64. Children under 5 can attend for free. This modest fee grants access to a day filled with various activities and culinary delights.
Vendors will showcase their Paté-making skills, allowing attendees to sample a variety of creations in one place. In addition to Patés, food vendors are encouraged to offer other cultural dishes for attendees to enjoy throughout the day.
Attendees can look forward to supporting craft vendors and enjoying numerous attractions for children. Live music will be performed by bands such as No Problemo, The TSK (Ten Sleepless Knights), R&B sensation Deri, and one of the Caribbean’s hottest Soca artist, PUMPA. DJ Lips International, Deh Brand, Bootlegacy, and MC Bogle will keep the atmosphere lively with a mix of current and classic tunes, according to a recently issued release. The Guardians of Culture Moko Jumbies will also entertain the crowd with their stilt-dancing skills.
The festival will feature a Best Paté Competition, where select judges will sample and evaluate Patés in a blind judging format. Categories will include meat, seafood, and veggie Patés, with winners receiving trophies, prizes, and bragging rights. Additionally, there will be a People's Choice award for Best Paté in honor of the late Rosalia Ayala, known as Rosa, the mastermind behind Rosa’s Booth in the Whim neighborhood. Attendees can vote for their favorite Paté vendor, and the winner will be determined by popular vote.
SMT Enterprise and Laced Legacy extended special thanks to the festival sponsors: Viya, Neighborhood Pharmacy, Twin City Dental & Dr. Chase Greep, Department of Tourism, Cruzan Rum, Virgin Islands National Guard, West Gyul, Doc’s Pepper Tonic, IB Designs, Virgin Islands Energy Office, Blue Mountain Water, East Gyul, Epok Signs & Banners, Island Thyme Charters, Hooked On Life Charters, FoodTown, Department of Agriculture, Plaza Extra East, Jelani Ritter, Das Ya Car Rental, WSTX Radio AM 970/FM 100.3, Crucian Gold, and Titan Gas Station.
