This summer, the U.S. Virgin Islands hosts one of the most significant celebrations in its history. The 2026 St. John Festival coincides with America's 250th Anniversary, creating an unforgettable convergence of Caribbean heritage and national patriotism.

Two Histories, One Weekend

The festival builds to a powerful crescendo over Independence Day weekend with two profoundly meaningful observances:

July 3 – Emancipation Day:
The pre-dawn J'ouvert celebration fills the streets of St. John National Park with music and dancing at sunrise. This leads into the Emancipation Day Program, honoring the 1848 abolition of slavery in the former Danish West Indies, followed by the iconic Torch Light Parade through Cruz Bay.

July 4 – America's 250th:
The U.S. Virgin Islands joins the nationwide America250 commemoration, marking 250 years since the Declaration of Independence. The territory's unique position in the American story shines through with special ceremonies, culminating in a spectacular fireworks display over Cruz Bay.

Festival Highlights

• June 14: Steel Pan Nights/Panorama: Authentic Caribbean rhythms filling the warm island air
• June 28–July 4: Village Nights with live music, food vendors, and community gatherings
• July 4-Festival Parade & Fireworks: Colorful costumes, moko jumbies, and hours of calypso dancing

For other activities, visit  https://www.visitusvi.com/events/st-john-celebration/

Getting to the Celebration

Planning to bring your vehicle to St. John for the festivities? Love City Car Ferries, Inc. provides reliable car ferry service between Red Hook, St. Thomas and Cruz Bay, St. John aboard our vessels Capt Vic and Grand Vic.

With schedules during festival season, our locally owned and operated service ensures you won't miss a moment of the action. Visit us online for real-time schedules and easy booking.

We also offer cargo delivery and private charters for groups celebrating this historic occasion. Whether you're transporting festival supplies or planning a family reunion, we've got your island-hopping needs covered.

---

Safe travels,
​
Customer Relations Team
Love City Car Ferries, Inc.
Phone: 340-779-4000
Website: https://www.lovecitycarferries.com/
Email: [email protected]
---
Love City Car Ferries, Inc. is a proud member of the U.S. Virgin Islands business community, serving residents and visitors since 1997.

At Love City Car Ferries, we believe that understanding our history strengthens our community. We join the nation in honoring a pivotal moment in American history while also recognizing the unique emancipation story of the U.S. Virgin Islands.

A Day of National Remembrance

Juneteenth marks June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that the 250,000 enslaved people in Texas were finally free—more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed. Today, Juneteenth stands as our country's second independence day, a celebration of freedom, resilience, and the ongoing journey toward equality.

Our Local Legacy: Emancipation Day in the Virgin Islands

While Juneteenth commemorates emancipation in the continental United States, our islands hold their own powerful history of freedom. On July 3, 1848, Moses "General Buddhoe" Gottlieb led more than 8,000 enslaved Africans in a peaceful uprising that compelled Danish Governor Peter von Scholten to declare, "All unfree in the Danish West Indies are from today emancipated." It is hardly told that after General Buddhoe lead the emancipation of his people, he was jailed and exiled from his beloved islands.

This was seventeen years before Juneteenth—making the U.S. Virgin Islands home to one of the earliest emancipations in the Caribbean. Every July 3rd, we celebrate Emancipation Day, honoring General Buddhoe and the brave individuals who demanded freedom.

Connecting Our Community with A Heart for the People

This Juneteenth, Love City Car Ferries Inc is proud to serve as the lifeline between St. Thomas and St. John, connecting families, friends, and visitors as they gather to commemorate this important day. Whether you're attending celebrations on St. Thomas or finding reflection in the natural beauty of St. John, we're here to ensure your journey is as smooth as the waters that surround our islands.

Ways to Observe Juneteenth in the USVI

• Attend Local Celebrations: Check community calendars for Juneteenth events featuring music, food, and educational programs
• Visit Historical Sites: Explore the ruins of sugar plantations and learn about the lives of those who built our islands
• Support Black-Owned Businesses: From restaurants to artisans, our community thrives when we support one another
• Reflect and Educate: Take time to learn about our shared history and discuss its relevance today

Looking Ahead

As we operate our ferries across the waters that have connected these islands for generations, we're reminded that freedom of movement—physical and societal—is something to cherish and protect. Love City Car Ferries Inc remains committed to serving all members of our community with dignity, respect, and reliability.

From our crew to your family, we wish you a meaningful Juneteenth. May we continue to honor the past while building a future worthy of those who fought for freedom.
​
Safe travels,
​
Customer Relations Team
Love City Car Ferries, Inc.
Phone: 340-779-4000
Website: https://www.lovecitycarferries.com/
Email: [email protected]
---
Love City Car Ferries, Inc. is a proud member of the U.S. Virgin Islands business community, serving residents and visitors since 1997.

On Memorial Day, Monday, May 25th, 2026,  as we pause to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, it's important to recognize the often-overlooked contributions of America's territories to our military history. The United States Virgin Islands, though small in size, has a proud tradition of military service that deserves recognition.

 


A Legacy of Service
Since becoming a U.S. territory in 1917, Virgin Islanders have answered the call to serve in every major American conflict. From the trenches of World War I to the mountains of Afghanistan, Virgin Islanders have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with their stateside counterparts, demonstrating courage and commitment despite being thousands of miles from the continental United States.

Virgin Islanders have fought in:

•  World War I
•  World War II
•  Korean War
•  Vietnam War
•  Gulf War
•  War in Afghanistan
•  Iraq War
•  Various peacekeeping and humanitarian missions

Remarkable Service Rates
The Virgin Islands consistently demonstrates one of the highest rates of military service per capita in the nation. According to historical data, the percentage of Virgin Islanders serving in the U.S. military has often exceeded that of many states:

•  During World War II, approximately 10% of the Virgin Islands' population served in the armed forces
• In the Vietnam era, the territory had one of the highest per capita enlistment rates in the nation
• Recent statistics show that Virgin Islanders continue to serve at rates significantly higher than the national average.

This extraordinary commitment to service speaks volumes about the patriotism and dedication of the Virgin Islands community, despite their geographic separation from the mainland and their unique status as a territory rather than a state.

Notable Contributions
Virgin Islanders have made their mark in every branch of the military, earning countless medals for valor and service. The 65th Infantry Regiment, known as the "Borinqueneers," included many soldiers of Virgin Islander heritage who distinguished themselves during the Korean War.

The territory has also contributed to national defense in other ways. During World War II, the Virgin Islands served as an important strategic outpost for the U.S. Navy, protecting Caribbean shipping lanes from German U-boats.

This Memorial Day
As we enjoy our Memorial Day weekend with family and friends, let's take a moment to remember the Virgin Islanders who have given their lives in service to our country. Their sacrifice reminds us that patriotism knows no geographic boundaries and that the commitment to American ideals extends far beyond the continental shores of the USA.

To the families of fallen Virgin Islander service members: we see your sacrifice, we honor your loved ones, and we thank you for the gift of their service. May we always remember that freedom is never free, and it has been paid for by brave men and women from all corners of our nation, including those beautiful islands in the Caribbean.

Sincerely,

Customer Relations Team
Love City Car Ferries, Inc.
Phone: 340-779-4000
Website: https://www.lovecitycarferries.com/
Email: [email protected]

As the gentle Caribbean breeze whispers through our islands this Mother's Day, Love City Car Ferries, Inc. extends our warmest wishes to all the remarkable mothers across the Virgin Islands. Today, we honor the women who embody the unique spirit of Caribbean motherhood – a blend of strength, wisdom, and unconditional love that shapes our island communities.

The Caribbean Mother: A Force of Nature

Here in the Virgin Islands (VI), motherhood transcends the conventional. Our Caribbean mothers are a force of nature – simultaneously fierce protectors and gentle nurturers. They are the keepers of our traditions, the transmitters of our dialect, and the guardians of our cultural identity.

From Cruz Bay to Christiansted to Road Town, VI mothers, mother uniquely. They raise their children with the sea as their backyard and community as their extended family. A Virgin Islands mother might discipline with a sharp word today and celebrate with a bowl of peas soup tomorrow – teaching resilience through both structure and indulgence.

The Village That Raises the Child

In our islands, the saying "it takes a village to raise a child" isn't just a proverb – it's our daily reality. Virgin Islands mothers understand that motherhood extends beyond bloodlines. The auntie next door, the grandmother on the near by island, and even the ferry operator who watches children grow from season to season – all play their part.

This collective approach to child-rearing is deeply rooted in our heritage and island history. Our mothers know that in a place where everyone is connected, their children are never truly alone. They build networks of care that span our islands, creating safety nets that catch our youth when they stumble.

Passing Down Island Wisdom

Virgin Islands mothers are our first teachers of island wisdom. They know which herbs soothe a fever, how to read the weather from the color of the sea, and when to plant an avocado tree for the best harvest. They pass down these essential survival skills alongside stories of our ancestors, ensuring that our cultural knowledge flows from one generation to the next.

In the kitchen, they teach more than recipes – they teach patience, resourcefulness, and the art of making something delicious from whatever the land and sea provide. A Virgin Islands mother's kitchen is a classroom where history, culture, and love blend into dishes that nourish both body and soul.

Navigating Modern Challenges

Today's Virgin Islands mothers face unique challenges as they balance traditional values with modern realities. They're raising children in a digital age while trying to maintain our island traditions. They're navigating economic uncertainties with the same resilience their mothers displayed after hurricanes and other hardships.

Love City Car Ferries, Inc. recognizes the incredible strength of these women who often work multiple roles – sometimes crossing our waters daily for jobs on neighboring islands, all while maintaining their households and raising the next generation of Virgin Islanders.

Honoring All Forms of Motherhood

This Mother's Day, we celebrate not just biological mothers, but all women who mother in our islands – the grandmothers raising grandchildren, the foster mothers opening their homes, the godmothers guiding their godchildren, and the community elders who mother us all with their wisdom.

 A Special Thank You from Love City Car Ferries, Inc.

As we ferry passengers across our beautiful waters daily, we witness firsthand the strength of Virgin Islands mothers. We see them transporting children to school, carrying goods for family gatherings, and traveling to support loved ones on neighboring islands.

To every mother who has ever boarded our vessels – we see you, we honor you, and we thank you. You are the heartbeat of our islands, the anchors of our families, and the guardians of our future.

This Mother's Day, Love City Car Ferries, Inc. invites all Virgin Islanders to join us in celebrating the remarkable mothers who make our islands not just a place to live, but a place to belong. Happy Mother's Day to the women who keep our culture alive, one child, one tradition, one day at a time.

Travel with Love City Car Ferries, Inc. this Mother's Day and create new memories with the special women in your life. Book your island journey at www.lovecitycarferries.com or call us at 340-779-4000. Our ferries are ready to connect you with the mothers who shaped your world.

Sincerely,

Customer Relations Team
Love City Car Ferries, Inc.
Phone: 340-779-4000
Website: https://www.lovecitycarferries.com/
Email: [email protected]