We are going to be down in the islands over the 4th of July this year. We are chartering out of Tortola, but obviously wouldn't expect any celebrations in the BVIs. Does anyone know if there are any fireworks or anything going on in the USVIs or the SVIs/Fajardo for the 4th? I've heard they don't really celebrate it down there like we do in the states, but figured I'd check.

Thanks,

Matt

I believe that St. John has fireworks in Cruz Bay. I think their Carnival coincides with July 4th.

Hopefully someone can come along and verify this for you.

Well, the BVI doesn't really celebrate because they lost us! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> But St. John Festival commemorates Emancipation Day (July 3rd, when the Danes emancipated the slaves) and Independence Day (because we are the U.S. Virgins). There will be a Carnival Village, music, J'ouvert, parade and all sorts of stuff leading up to the fireworks display over Cruz Bay on the 4th. Here's the schedule. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/usflag.gif" alt="" />

Funny Nutmeg!
I was educated in Scotland (high school years).
The story there was that the UK granted "The Colonies" their independence in 1776. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

In 1776?? Wow, if so, what was all that fightin' about until Yorktown in 1781??? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />

I love Scotland!! (But it is cold!!)

That is kind of like the story of the Danish governor, who, when confronted with a large group of slaves demanding their freedom on July 3, 1848 suddenly proclaimed, on his own authority: All unfree in the Danish West-Indian islands are from today emancipated.

Thanks for the info (and the history lesson <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />). Our boat is due back to the base on Tortola on the 6th. We are thinking of heading to the SVIs during the later part of the charter so that could work out well as a stop on our way back from the SVIs. We'll see...

Matt

The Cruz Bay fest is a grand time and the big carnival day on island. You can watch the fireworks from Christmas Cove too, but sometimes the ash blows that way.

Cheers, RickG

Rick, can you really see the fireworks from Christmas Cove? Seems like the island would block your view.

Second hand, on the sight line and the ashes. We could certainly see the smoke from the Mongoose Junction fire.

Cheers, RickG

I have spent the STJ fireworks night anchored in Bare A** Bay on Grt. ST James - visible but the sound doesn't carry too well.

We were on St John last July 4th and had a blast!! Fireworks, concerts, and parades. Great time!