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June 30, 2026 a public holiday; 250th Anniversary of freedom of Long Look people

The Virgin Islands is this year commemorating the 250th Anniversary of the freedom of the people of Long Look Estate, celebrated from 1776 to 2026, with a public holiday. Photo: Facebook
Ms. Bernadine A. Louis, a member of the Executive Committee of the Long Look Estate Heritage Society, revealed that the committee is organising a diverse range of activities to celebrate this momentous anniversary. The festivities will commence with an opening ceremony on June 28 at the Stickett, where attendees can expect an engaging program that sets the tone for the celebrations. Photo: Facebook
Ms. Bernadine A. Louis, a member of the Executive Committee of the Long Look Estate Heritage Society, revealed that the committee is organising a diverse range of activities to celebrate this momentous anniversary. The festivities will commence with an opening ceremony on June 28 at the Stickett, where attendees can expect an engaging program that sets the tone for the celebrations. Photo: Facebook
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI - The Virgin Islands is this year commemorating the 250th Anniversary of the freedom of the people of Long Look Estate, celebrated from 1776 to 2026, with a public holiday.

The Government of the Virgin Islands has declared Tuesday, June 30, 2026, as a public holiday to mark this historic milestone, highlighting the resilience, identity, and enduring spirit of the Virgin Islands.

Ms Bernadine A. Louis, a member of the Executive Committee of the Long Look Estate Heritage Society, revealed that the committee is organising a diverse range of activities to celebrate this momentous anniversary. The festivities will commence with an opening ceremony on June 28 at the Stickett, where attendees can expect an engaging programme that sets the tone for the celebrations.

Grand parade 

The highlight of the celebration will be a grand parade scheduled for June 30 in the Long Look area, which will showcase the rich history and cultural heritage of the community. This parade will feature a variety of floats and performances that reflect the unique stories and traditions of Long Look Estate. 

Louis emphasised that the parade will include dynamic cultural demonstrations, honouring the past while celebrating the vibrant present of the Long Look area, and the day will culminate with a concert at the Greenland field from 7:00 PM.

During her appearance on the Talking Points programme on Monday, April 20, 2026, Louis expressed her enthusiasm for the planned events and encouraged everyone to participate in honouring this significant moment in history.

The other activities to commemorate this anniversary are a lecture, an essay and poetry competition, a history book launch and a formal ball/dinner at the East End Long Look Community Centre.

24 Responses to “June 30, 2026 a public holiday; 250th Anniversary of freedom of Long Look people”

  • Anonymous (23/04/2026, 08:19) Like (9) Dislike (28) Reply
    Poor businesses more holiday pay
  • E.Leonard (23/04/2026, 09:48) Like (20) Dislike (2) Reply
    250 years of manumission from slavery being celebrated on June 30, 2026. Awesome ! This is a momentous occasion for Long Look, for the descendants of slaves who were first(slaves) in freedom, for residents of Long Look, and for the Virgin Islands(British). This is a historical, heritage, and cultural event and must be more than a one day holiday celebration. Either living or visiting Long Look one should see, feel, taste, etc, its importance, heritage, history, culture. There should be trailblazer signs entering Long Look, reflecting its significance in VI, regional history.
    • Long Looker /East Ender (23/04/2026, 17:20) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      E. Leonard, thanks for looking out, recognizing the importance of 25 slaves in Long Look being first in freedom. Some are not seeing the big picture, ie, the history, heritage, and cultural significance. We must embrace and celebrate our history, heritage, culture.The bVI growth is more than dollars and cents. Marcus Garvey: “A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin, and culture is a tree without our rots.” What Samuel and Mary Nottingham did in 1776 is an important part of our history. Yes, we were not taught much about our history at Major Primary. Why?
      • Long Looker/Rast Ender (24/04/2026, 06:50) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        Correction; In the Marcus Garvey quote, it should have read “root”, not “rot.”
  • makes me wonder (23/04/2026, 10:10) Like (20) Dislike (8) Reply
    A celebration of Freedom, yet here we are today, the descendants of said slaves are now holding other people as slaves.
    The slaves have become the slave masters. but carry on, let's celebrate!
    • annudda2cents (24/04/2026, 08:28) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ makes me wonder

      Not much has changed. How did the african slaves became slaves in the first place?
      • Yep (24/04/2026, 11:08) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
        @annudda2cents
        Yes, the most painful part of history of our ancestors no one wants to talk about or acknowledge. We are our own enemies.
      • guy hill (25/04/2026, 00:06) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        God created man, then man made slaves.
  • Long Look me live (23/04/2026, 10:28) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    GREAT JOB COMMITTEE
    LONG OVERDUE FOR LONG LOOK RICH HISTORY
  • %100 raise (23/04/2026, 11:13) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    The only time we experience a lil freedom was after Irma.
  • WOW (23/04/2026, 12:03) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    Once it isn't costing the government any monies I wish you all well.
    • Concern Citizen of East End / Long Look (26/04/2026, 16:58) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Why we are worried about Government funds for this but not when the Government is given people 1/2 million dollars to bring Artists in the Territory. But we are worried about funds being use for Historical events in the east. Just a guess you are not from the East end of Tortola
  • 3rd world (23/04/2026, 12:12) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
    From one slave master to the next

    now we under slavery from we very own

    cant increase minimum wage. cant set a working price control

    slave to the elites and greedy top class that hunger never satisfies sigh
  • Vision (23/04/2026, 12:42) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    Flattery praise can't pay for basic needed good for survival. People of Look Look, you don't need another holiday. The thing that you need foron this government is balance representation especially from the Premier you voted for since February 2019. Wakeup stupid heads. Come awake. Free yourselves from political slavery.
  • Party Again (23/04/2026, 15:47) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    I glad for the day off.
  • E LIEONERD (23/04/2026, 19:39) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    So you surfaced again wannabe historian who claim to know historian from centuries ago but gets selective amnesia suddenly when people inQuire about what went on in his own backyard / you have no shame , hypocrite go back in your closet . nobody ain't want to see a Ghost
  • Wonderful (23/04/2026, 21:33) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is wonderful and a great historical event that should be celebrated . Our rich history and resilience of our people
    Great decision and well deserved . Many don’t know our rich history . Showcase and teach .. we salute you all ..
    Long live Long Look and its people.
  • Vision (24/04/2026, 08:43) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Long Look people need to be free from their local political slave master that is giving plenty talk, but rather giving them an insufficient among of wheat to eat. Recognition short of true representation causes ghetto style conditions equals backwardness and uncertainty.
  • Matthew 25:31-46 (24/04/2026, 08:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The people of the district, in my opinion, in the B.V.I that don't need to hear from a person that care very little about their future. New leader needed,now, not continuing historical bla, bla, blabbering. .
  • Marla (24/04/2026, 16:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Dear Elected Representatives,

    Please clean up Long Look, East End etc. of all the derelict vehicles, boats and other garbage before the celebration. It would do so much more for the aesthetics of the community and territory.

    Thanks,

    • Long Looker/East Ender (25/04/2026, 09:06) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      Our forebears were dehumanized, abused, sexually abused(raped), exploited, murdered, deprived of basic rights and freedoms, worked from sun up to sun down, poor fed, housed, and clothed, etc., yet mustered the strength, courage, etc., to fight. The least their descendants can do is lift a finger to keep their community gone. Is it still a community or just a neighborhood, ie, a place to lay one’s head, not a home. Let’s regain the pride we once had as a community.Our reps. need to a better job.
  • Tigress (24/04/2026, 23:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    good job to the committee, we welcome the holiday:. now to the premier et al can bvislander households get $250.00 as comemorative gift for this venture
  • Yes (25/04/2026, 05:40) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    I wonder if when the slaves came here, if they bought already, or they were held at a certain location to be sold?
  • Fran (29/04/2026, 23:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Let's not forget, Nottingham was a Slave owner first. Then freed his Slaves and left his land to them, after some so-called religious turmoil he was going through. The mere fact that he owned PEOPLE says a lot about his mindset of superiority over other humans.


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