US Virgin Islands Hotel & Tourism Association
The 7th Annual St. Thomas Reef Fest is scheduled for Nov. 12, rain or shine. The Reef Fest community event is organized by the Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service at the University of the Virgin Islands and Blue Flag USVI – VICS. Thanks to the overwhelming success of the event in past few years, Coral World has donated the use of its venue once again for this year’s Reef Fest fundraiser.
Valerie Peters, Blue Flag USVI program director and director of marketing at Coral World Ocean Park, said, “As a marine education facility, Coral World Ocean Park supports the University of the Virgin Islands’ efforts to increase environmental education opportunities for the children of the Virgin Islands through the VIMAS program.”
Peters went on to say, “Reef Fest celebrates the ocean. It is about empowering the local community to play an active role in protecting the marine environment that surrounds our beautiful islands. Learn about the bond between humans and the ocean, and about what each person can do to cultivate that relationship in a positive way. This year’s theme will focus on Marine Debris and Non-Point Source Pollution.”
Trudie Prior, general manager of Coral World said, “We continue to support Reef Fest because it is a perfect match to Coral World’s mission.”
The Coral World mission statement says our goal is “to bring you close to the inhabitants of the magical undersea world that surrounds the Virgin Islands and to the stunning variety of plant life that grows in our lagoons and on our hillsides.” Coral World seeks “to entertain, to educate, and to inspire appreciation and understanding of the local environment. Our hope is that you will experience the joy of discovery and that you will love and protect the natural treasures you see here.”
The University of the Virgin Islands’ VIMAS program’s mission is to improve the public’s knowledge and stewardship of the marine environment. Reef Fest presents a unique opportunity to interact with and learn about marine creatures and the reef they inhabit at no cost. Please join us for a fun day full of activities and educational programs at Coral World.
The fun lasts all day with educational and family-oriented activities!
- Free admission to Coral World Ocean Park – 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Free parking and free roadside shuttle service – 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Live music – by Radical Express Band and DJ Keano
- Reef Rap Competition
- Attend marine conservation related presentations, demonstrations and exhibits
- Engage in family-friendly educational games
- Upcycling with Stencils & Sand Arts and Craft Studio
- Lion fish tasting – Chef Taj from Buddha Sushi will perform a cooking demonstration
- Wonderful raffle prizes
- Caribbean Mermaid Academy & Carolina Mermaids in the first ever mermaid performance around the Coral World Observation Tower for all to see!
- Book reading by author and mermaid Shannon Rauch & signing of her book “Turtles Want Teammates”
We encourage individuals, businesses, agencies and groups to come forward with supplies, food, equipment, funds, talent, education and additional volunteer services to support the festival. In the spirit of the reef, islanders will learn more about our ocean, reflect on its importance in their lives, take time to do something good for our blue planet and learn how to take action to protect the ocean and the reefs in their daily lives.
We would like to thank the following business for their support – Seaborne Airlines, St. Thomas Restaurant Group, Mahogany Run Golf Course, Bolongo Bay Beach Resort, Tree Limin’ Extreme, Paradise Point, Marriott Frenchman’s Reef, Buddha Sushi, Shannon Rauch, Caribbean Mermaid Academy, Wyndham Vacation Ownership, Radical Express Band, DJ Keano, Friends of the Park, Media Marketing, Melee Media, Debbie Dedicated Dogs, Coki Beach Dive, East End Flower shop, Magens Bay Authority, Pistarckle Theater, Art Explorium.
For more information or If you would like to get involved, contact Valerie Peters at marketing@coralworldvi.com or 340-775-1555 ext. 246, or Howard Forbes Jr. Howard.Forbes@live.uvi.edu or 340-513-7203 and befriend the Coral World Facebook page for updates.