Over the weekend, the U.S. Virgin Islands marked the 100 year anniversary of transferring from the Danish West Indies to U.S. territory. Official Transfer Day was Friday, March 31.
Celebrations included a parade through Christiansted Friday morning, which included military and school marching bands. At Fort Christiansvaern, speakers included the Prime Minister of Denmark Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke, and U.S Virgin Islands Governor Kenneth Mapp. Both public and private schools were closed Friday to recognize Transfer Day, so many children were able to see the parade and festivities at the fort.
Friday evening in town included Jazz in the Park (in the fort lawn) followed by a large firework display shot from a barge just off Protestant Cay. The boardwalk was packed with residents out to celebrate.
Other recent Transfer Day Centennial festivities included:
- March 24 – Fort Fete on St. Thomas
- March 26 – Centennial Parade on St. John and Cruz Bay Block Party
- March 31 – Transfer Day Activities on St. Thomas (afternoon)
- April 1 (Saturday) – Centennial Public Reception on St. Thomas (Frenchman’s Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort)
- April 2 (Sunday) – Centennial Gala Ball (Renaissance St. Croix Carambola Beach Resort & Spa)
Ready to live in America’s Caribbean? Chris and Kerri Hanley are the resident experts on Virgin Islands real estate, with more than 50 years of combined experience. As seen on HGTV’s ‘Caribbean Life’ they have been featured on 20 plus episodes, helping island newcomers from the U.S. mainland find their slice of paradise. Contact them today and download their free St. Croix Event Guide: