the five-mile stretch. We dance past hundreds of sideliners and vendors, past the judging stands and spectator bleaches, eventually pouring into Carnival Park, where we party into the night. Other troupe favorites include the Gypsies Troupe, the Traditional Indians, the Clowns, and Hugga Bunch, who boldly parade in front of fans and judges in a blaze of vivid color and dance patterns.
Fireworks explode and light up the sky, signaling the end of the island’s biggest and most culturally infused party. As we drag our exhausted bodies home, the pervading sentiment is one that is repeated annually: “I can’t wait until next year.” For more information on Carnival in the U.S. Virgin Islands, visit www.usvitourism.vi.