Festival budget pegged at $1.6 million – Premier

Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley announced during a press briefing late last week that the budget for this year’s Emancipation Festival is approximately $1.6 million.

Dr Wheatley outlined the government’s commitment to fostering a vibrant celebration that honours the Virgin Islands’ rich cultural heritage while bolstering its economic framework. “As we gather to mark the 70th anniversary of emancipation celebrations in the Virgin Islands, we are reminded of the profound significance of this occasion,” the Premier said.

The Premier underscored the festival’s dual role in both celebration and economic stimulation. “The festivities generate revenue for local businesses, create jobs, and stimulate economic activity, thereby contributing to the overall prosperity of our islands,” he said. The festival’s spending follows another significant financial outlay—the recently held Music Fest, which some critics put at an estimated cost of $1 million after an initial $700,000 government subvention. The government’s expenditure on that event faced widespread criticism, exacerbated by low turnout.