The Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports is appealing to the Virgin Islands community to ensure students are protected this Emancipation Festival season by refraining from providing them with alcoholic beverages. Photo: Internet Source

The Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Ministry is partnering with the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee for the ‘Our Festival. Our Responsibility.’ campaign. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands

The 2026 Virgin Islands Emancipation Festival runs from July 25 to August 8, 2026. Photo: VI Festival & Fairs Committee

In a press release issued on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, the Ministry urged booth operators, bartenders, food vendors, event promoters, and even parents, guardians, and members of the public to assist by ensuring that students are not sold, served, or provided with alcoholic substances. 

Our Festival. Our Responsibility Campaign

"Festival is one of the most anticipated times of the year, and we want every member of our community to enjoy it safely and responsibly,” Chief Education Officer Orlandette R. Crabbe said, underscoring the importance of community partnership in safeguarding the Territory's children.

In addition to his public appeal, the Ministry is partnering with the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee for the ‘Our Festival. Our Responsibility.’ campaign.

"'Our Festival. Our Responsibility.' is a community commitment to protecting our students and preserving the true spirit of our Festival…Protecting our students is a responsibility that belongs to all of us…The choices we make as adults today can have a lasting impact on the health, safety, and future of our young people.”

All vendors and alcohol servers are asked to:

• Verify the age of any individual purchasing or requesting alcoholic beverages where there is uncertainty.
• Refuse the sale or service of alcohol to anyone under the legal drinking age.
• Refrain from serving adults who are purchasing alcohol on behalf of students or other school-age children.
• Support efforts to maintain a safe, responsible, and family-friendly festival environment where students are protected.

Keep young people safe

Parents, guardians, and the general public are also being asked to supervise young people in their care, discourage underage drinking, and set a positive example through responsible behaviour. “A simple act of intervention, guidance, or assistance may make all the difference in keeping a young person safe," Crabbe added.

Under the umbrella of ‘Our Festival. Our Responsibility’, the Ministry is also rolling out ‘Future Above Fete’, a dedicated youth initiative that encourages young people to celebrate their culture with clarity and make choices that protect their long-term ambitions.