The 72nd Virgin Islands Emancipation Festival officially opened on Monday, July 27, 2026, at the Lavida Cottoy Festiville. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands

The 2026 Emancipation Festival Village was named in honour of Lavida Cottoy, a community member who has been involved with the festival for nearly four decades. Photo: Facebook

Mr Roberto Harrigan, aka ‘Tico’, was named the 2026 Grand Parade Marshall. Photo: Facebook

The traditional Torch Light Procession was held on Monday, July 27, 2026, just before the official opening ceremony of Emancipation Festival 2026. Photo: Facebook

This year’s festival is being held under the theme ‘Culture Rising, Hearts Align. VI Festival, One of a Kind’ and slogan ‘Echoes of Heritage, Rhythm in the Mix, Celebrate Virgin Islands Festival 2026’. 

“Together, they remind us that our culture, our people, and our shared heritage continue to unite us and make the Virgin Islands truly one of a kind,” Chair of the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee, Natalie N. Penn-Lake said.

‘I am truly humbled’- Lavida Cottoy

The festival village was named in honour of Lavida Cottoy, a community member who has been involved with the festival for nearly four decades. 

“A true daughter of the soil, Lavida has devoted countless hours to preserving, strengthening and celebrating one of the Territory’s most cherished traditions,” Junior Minister for Tourism and Culture, Hon Luce D. Hodge-Smith (R4) said.

Cottoy was a member of the then BVI Festival Committee, now the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee, from 1985 to 2022. Back then, the minister explained, the festival was carefully planned by community stalwarts whose collective commitment laid the foundation for the celebration. 

She also served as Chair of the Food Fair Committee, on the Miss BVI Pageant, and the Prince and Princess Show and the Calypso Show. 

“Today, we proudly recognise a woman whose service has touched nearly every aspect of the Virgin Islands Festival…Lavida has helped shape the festival into the vibrant celebration it is today.”

Cottoy said she was “truly humbled and grateful” for being honoured with the Festival Village being named after her. “When I first joined the Virgin Islands Festival Committee in 1985, I never thought it would lead to this.”

She called her time on the committee a “marriage to festival”, recalling early mornings and late nights while planning the festival over the decades. 

“This festival bearing my name isn’t about me; it’s about every queen who walked the stage, every cook who fed the people, every calypsonian who sang the truth, and every committee member who showed up.”

Roberto Harrigan 2026 Grand Marshall

Meanwhile, Mr Roberto Harrigan, aka ‘Tico’, was named the 2026 Grand Parade Marshall. Penn-Lake said he was recognised for his outstanding contributions and commitment to the people, making him a “fitting ambassador for this year’s celebration”. 

Harrigan, Founder of the Moko Jumbie Elite Sky Dancers, said he does what he does to preserve VI culture. He explained that many years ago, he recognised that the youth were straying from even participating in the festival. 

“I took that to heart, and ever since then, I’ve been putting my [hardest] work not for personal [gain] but just to keep the preservation of BVI culture going.”

He encouraged everyone to contribute to the effort.