The streets of Road Town are set to come alive today, Monday, August 8, as the 2025 Emancipation Festival Parade rolls out with a packed lineup celebrating heritage, beauty, and vibrant island culture. This year’s procession, led by Parade Marshall Kenisha Sprauve, features over 40 entries including pageant winners, cultural troupes, community groups, and high-energy performers.
The parade is a signature highlight of the Virgin Islands’ annual Emancipation Festival, which commemorates the abolition of slavery in 1834 and honours the territory’s cultural evolution. Today’s showcase blends elegance and entertainment with entries from pageant queens, school groups, non-profit organizations, and performance troupes.
Among the most anticipated appearances are three major musical acts: Pumpa, Asa Bantan, and local favourite VIBE, all of whom are expected to deliver electrifying performances along the parade route.
Soca sensation Pumpa, hailing from St. Kitts and based in the U.S. Virgin Islands, is known for commanding the stage with pulsating rhythms and crowd-moving anthems like his high-energy hit “The Ting Nice.” Asa Bantan, dubbed the “Bouyon Boss” from Dominica, brings a raw, infectious energy that never fails to get the crowd dancing, especially with fan favorites like “Wet Fete” and “Dutty Laundry.” And BVI’s very own VIBE, that keeps the festival spirit alive year after year, with songs like “Flashlights” and “Take Over” serving as staples at major events across the Territory.
The official order of the parade is as follows:
Parade Marshall – Kenisha Sprauve
Marching Steel Drums – Visitors
Prince and Princess VG – Jeep
Miss Teen VG and Miss VG – Jeep
Mr. and Miss Hawk Pride – Jeep
Show Car
Miss Universe BVI Queen – Jeep
Miss Universe BVI #1 – Jeep
Miss Universe BVI #2 – Jeep
Show Car
Mr. & Miss Jr. BVI – Jeep
Miss RVIPF Queen
Miss RVIPF Contestants
Kazak
Show Car
Miss Teen BVI – Jeep
Win BVI – Truck
HLSCC
Show Car
Prince and Princess – Jeep
Miss BVI – Jeep
Virgin Islands Party
Show Car
Heritage Dancers
Culture Bearers
Rotary
Up Top Band
Dingolay
BVI Dance School
Ice Breakers Pom Pom
Ice Breakers Majorettes
Lucozade Truck
Paradise Sky Dancers
Grand Masters
Legacy VI Troupe
Ova Drive
Treasures Teen
VIBE
Treasures Demo
Pumpa
Treasures Adult
Asa Bantan
The BVI Tribe
