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Emancipation Festival 2025 a success- Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith

-Festival & Fairs Committee to meet before giving a full recap
The recently concluded 71st Virgin Islands Emancipation Festival was a success, according to Junior Minister for Tourism and Culture, Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith (R4). Photo: Office of the Premier
The Torchlight Procession saw a lot more participation this year. Photo: Facebook/Virgin Islands Festival
The Torchlight Procession saw a lot more participation this year. Photo: Facebook/Virgin Islands Festival
Junior Minister for Tourism and Culture, Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith (R4) said there was an increase in local artist and bands during the 71st Emancipation Festival. Photo: Facebook/Virgin Islands Festival
Junior Minister for Tourism and Culture, Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith (R4) said there was an increase in local artist and bands during the 71st Emancipation Festival. Photo: Facebook/Virgin Islands Festival
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The recently concluded 71st Virgin Islands Emancipation Festival was a success, according to Junior Minister for Tourism and Culture, Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith (R4), during The Virgin Islands Voice on August 13, 2025.

This year’s festival was held under the theme ’Embrace the Past, Let Unity Thrive, As we Celebrate Emancipation Festival 2025’ and culminated in Carrot Bay on August 9, 2025. 

Hon Hodge-Smith said in her view, it was a successful festival in 2025. She added it was crime-free. 

People are getting the importance of the Torchlight Procession

She added that the torchlight procession was one of the major highlights of the festival. 

“We’re truly pleased by the Torchlight Procession. We had a huge crowd, one of the biggest crowds we’ve had for the Torchlight Procession, and that was very exciting to have all the folks come out and participate.”

Hon Hodge-Smith described the event which led to the official opening ceremony of the festival on July 25, 2025, as massive, impressive and impactful. 

“I think that we’re getting the message across that the Torchlight Procession is an important activity that all of us need to participate in…we’re happy to see that participation is growing.”

Local entertainers 

Hon Hodge-Smith said Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley had made a call for more local entertainers to be involved in the activities of the villages. 

While unable to say if the Premier was pleased with the turnout, she said, “I believe there was some satisfaction with that”

The minister said if this is not the case, then they need to go back to the drawing board to ensure that local entertainers and artists are featured more in the villages and activities.

Full recap to come from VI Festival & Fairs Committee

The Junior Minister stated that a full recap of Emancipation 2025 will come from the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee after they meet. 

The committee will also discuss plans for Emancipation Festival 2026.

10 Responses to “Emancipation Festival 2025 a success- Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith”

  • Cindy (16/08/2025, 09:28) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    i must agree with her
  • suggestion (16/08/2025, 10:13) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Touch light procession should not be about the queens at the forefront. That is not what it is about. I’m not saying they can’t be there but they shouldn’t be made the main focus( which is what it looked like to me) .. that was ridiculous and far from what it is about.
  • Lb (16/08/2025, 13:00) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
    Worst festival ever. Especially in the village.
  • A success (16/08/2025, 15:11) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Says failure
  • One Suggestion. (16/08/2025, 16:19) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Make festival stage the final judging point, ensure all Troupes do at least a 5 minutes appearance / performance..
  • Styles. (16/08/2025, 17:11) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    This government always claims all they do is a success.

    Zero self reflection with these people.
  • BRAD BOYNES (16/08/2025, 17:35) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    At least there was a festival. Free entrance for village please. Asking from now.
  • Everything is a success (16/08/2025, 20:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Vybes Kartel, the nonstop party, the failed music fest and now this festival
  • FIRE (16/08/2025, 20:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Every village night should have been free. All this government do is grab graab graaab.


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