An Online Blog About the Daily Happenings of St. John, USVI
Originating in Trinidad and Tobago, Carnival has been an ever-growing celebration throughout the Caribbean since the 18th century. St. John begins it’s two week long Carnival celebration on June 21st. It is packed with a litany of events ranging from parades, music, food fairs and beauty pageants. This evolving festival encompasses the wide spectrum of traditions fused together that makes up West Indian culture.
Last Saturday marked the inaugural Youth Trailblazers Race. May 31st Gifft Hill School hosted a 2 mile race in the National Park on the Lind Point Trail for any student in Eighth grade or younger. Despite ongoing rain showers occurring throughout the race, all 17 runners finished in an exemplary fashion. Exuding resilience and an undeniable determination they overcame the obstacles of Mother Nature to properly mark the beginning of what will be a wonderful annual tradition for the youth of St. John.
Read moreGift Hill School Hosts the first Youth Trailblazers Race
On island and not sure what to do next? Check out these upcoming events on St. John!
There’s a new restaurant in Cruz Bay that’s already creating a buzz. Aerial, located at The Saint resort, is now open for dinner every night from 5 to 9 p.m., and for Sunday brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. And based on the early reviews, it’s quickly becoming a favorite.
You don’t need to be staying at The Saint or have a daypass to eat at Aerial—it’s fully open to the public. Just be sure to make a reservation ahead of time at saintstj.com/dining. The restaurant has limited seating and word is spreading fast.
So far, Aerial has been getting rave reviews for both the food and the overall experience. Diners have praised everything from the quality of the dishes to the atmosphere, the views, and the service. One guest called it “one of the best dining experiences we’ve ever had,” while another said they went 2 nights in a row for the same meal.
Read moreAerial Is Open at The Saint — And the Reviews Are In: People Love It
As Memorial Day weekend approaches on St. John, swimmers from all over the United States and beyond arrive in anticipation for the 22nd Annual Joe Kessler’s Beach to Beach Power Swim. This isn’t just any swim; it’s a world-renowned open water event, ranked among the “Top 25” globally, and it’s happening right here in the Virgin Islands National Park.
This year, a staggering 371 swimmers, with ages spanning from 7 to 82, will test their skills on the North Shore course, starting at Maho Bay Beach, and finishing at either Cinnamon, Trunk, or Hawksnest Beach.
Read moreThe 22nd Annual Joe Kessler’s Beach to Beach Power Swim this Sunday, May 25
Good morning St John,
It is well known that we are home to some of the best beaches in the whole world, and we like to take some time to highlight the different beaches that make St. John so special. Take a moment out of your day and imagine you are back on St. John (for those who have been) and if you haven’t had the chance to visit our beautiful island let this article transport you for a brief moment to Hawksnest Beach!
Jared Warren, a St. John business owner and resident for over 20 years wears many hats here on island. Under one hat resides a family man, married with a child and holding a respectable job with a stable income. He owns a property management company with over twenty employees and makes sure he keeps his Saturdays free for his family. Under the other hat resides a rock and roll man who has blessed the musical stages of St. John for years. As a staple within the St. John music community, he has been a collaborator with many local bands and can often be seen accompanying countless traveling stateside acts.
Warren is now putting on another hat, although still in the musical realm. This year he started releasing a series of albums where he is the sole songwriter. He is joined by an array of the musicians he has played with throughout the years, although this time it is less of a collaboration. His new project Wonderlost is a showcase of some of his songs he feels doesn’t fit into the themes or energies of the various musical makeups he has so diligently taken part in. His third album to be released under this moniker is titled “The Distant Present”. On May 9th he releases its 6th single, “Let it Grow”.
Good morning!
As you may know, hiking the Reef Bay Trail takes you on a journey back in time, past crumbling sugar mills, and onto an extraordinary window into St. John’s pre-Columbian past.
If you’ve veered off the main trail about 1.6 miles into the hike, you know the awe of witnessing the subtropical forest open out to a waterfall, feeling your eyes adjust to the change in light, and catching your breath as ancient faces carved into the rock become immediately clear.
Seeing the Reef Bay petroglyphs firsthand is like nothing else. But it raises three enduring questions: Who made them? How old are they? And, what do they mean?
Read moreSacred Symbols: Tracing the Taíno Through the Petroglyphs and Artifacts of St. John
The line stretched out of the door and down both sets of stairs. The premier for “Rise of Jaguars” was sold out and the St. John School of the Arts was at capacity. There were no seats available. Those left in line who still wanted to attend were told they would have to stand. “Rise of Jaguars”, which had created quite the buzz among some St. Johnians, is a documentary based on Abbie Martin, a St. John resident working as a boat captain half of the year. The rest of her year is spent in the Pantanal, a vast wetland in the heart of Brazil, which she has traveled back to for the last 12 years. She is the founder and President of The Jaguar Identification Project, a non-profit conservation organization which she created over a decade ago. 
Read moreThe Premier for “Rise of Jaguars” Gets a Standing Ovation
