Festival Parade spotlights BVI culture in an array of colors

TORTOLA — A colorful array of troupes, floats, and bands — anchored by Treasures, a 500-strong entrant — highlighted all what spectators love about the British Virgin Islands Emancipation Festival Parade.

The kaleidoscope of colorful outfits adorned with feathers, beads and madras — a staple of the Guardians of Culture mocko jumbies visiting from St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands — left many marveling as participants danced along the parade route. The late start, which resulted in the parade going past 9 p.m. Monday night, was long forgotten as troupes and floats delight spectators along the route. In addition to St. Croix, the parade also had entries from Dominica and BVI residents living stateside.