The Parade Sub-committee of the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee (VIF&FC) has registered 1,000 revellers spread across 25 entries for the August Monday Parade. Photo: VINO/File

The parade, which is slated to begin at 1:00 PM on Monday, August 7, 2023, will see dazzling entries ranging from the troupes, floats, floupes, sporting cars and individual entries. Photo: VINO/File

Over 300 members each will dance along the route in spectacular costumes as part of the largest troupes. The two largest entries will close the parade. Photo: VINO/File

The parade, which is slated to begin at 1:00 PM on Monday, August 7, 2023, will see "dazzling" entries ranging from the troupes, floats, floupes, sporting cars and individual entries.

The thousand-reveler parade will assemble at Road Reef and will process along Waterfront Drive, making its way to the Irene Penn-O’Neal Festiville to complete the one-and-a-half-mile-long parade route.

According to the VIF&FC Parade Sub-committee in a press release today, August 6, 2023, the colourful parade made up of individual entries, troupes and floats will be officially judged at the intersection of Waterfront Drive and Administration Drive.

Judging of entries & Road March return

It said judges will also note the use of songs entered for the Road March title. Entries were not judged in 2022

Troupes are also required to perform at Sir Olva Geroge’s Plaza and parallel to Clover’s to qualify for up to $5,000 in cash prizes in various categories. Troupes are also expected to perform on the Festiville’s stage for audiences gathered in the village.

The parade will be led by the grand marshal, Reverend Yvonne Nibbs-Flores who will be honoured with the ride for her over 50 years of involvement in the Virgin Islands Festival. Mrs Flores will ride ahead of the Village Honouree, Mrs Irene F. Penn-O’Neal, who was crowned the first Miss British Virgin Islands in 1975 and has served as a Festival Committee member for many years.

Who else will be part of parade?

The newly crowned Miss British Virgin Islands will make her first official appearance while, traditional mocko jumbies, majorettes and choreographed and free-style-dancing Festival troupes will set the road ablaze with beautiful routines. Large festival troupes like ExtraVIganza will perform to the rhythmic music of BugZbugs, Blind Earz, Big Shaw and Karnage, and Treasures of the BVI will be led by popular band, VIBE, and energetic personality Pumpa.

Over 300 members each will dance along the route in spectacular costumes as part of the largest troupes. The two largest entries will close the parade.

Other exciting entries include sports cars, Rotary International’s interactive float, a special entry by Festival sponsor, CCT, and a 50-feet-long whale presented by Beyond the Reef.

The August Monday Parade is expected to end by 6: 00 PM to allow attendees to enjoy food, rides, and entertainment at the Festival Village.