Events

 

Friends hosts a number of exciting events throughout the year. Most noteworthy are the Friends Annual Meeting (January), the Earth Day Environmental Fair (April), the Beach-to-Beach Power Swim (May), and VI Coastweeks (September. Keep an eye on the Newsroom to stay up to date with upcoming events.

The Friends Annual Gala
Our gala is the premiere party and fund-raiser of the year on St. John. Just for one evening all who attend will celebrate the beauty of the island at one of the most magnificent villas in the world while “feeling good about doing good” for the Virgin Islands National Park and their philanthropic partner, Friends of Virgin Islands National Park. Details for 2010:
 
Friends Annual Meeting
This event takes place on a Sunday in January at the Tree Lizards Restaurant at Cinnamon Bay Campgrounds from 2:00 pm- 4:00 pm. The event serves as a way to keep Friends members and the VI community informed of the Friends and VI National Park’s past year’s accomplishments and goals for the coming year. The meeting features Friends’ president Joe Kessler, VINP superintendent, and an esteemed guest speaker. It is a great way to meet other Friends members and learn more about the Friends and the Park. Shuttle service is provided from Cruz Bay.
Earth Day Fair
The Earth Day Environmental Fair for kids is held in April in honor of Earth Day at the National Park Service ball field in Cruz Bay. For the past four years, this event has demonstrated its effectiveness as a fun way to create environmental awareness among young children. Through hands-on teaching methods, story-telling, and interesting demonstrations, children learn about alternative energies, landscaping with native plants, and participate in mock archeology digs, and much more.
Earth Day 2010
Beach-to-Beach Power Swim
The annual Beach-to-Beach Power Swim takes place on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend. Join us for this challenging open water swim in the pristine and protected waters of VI National Park. There are three courses to choose from, all of which start at Maho Bay Beach. Swim to Cinnamon Bay, swim to Trunk Bay, or go all the way to Hawksnest Bay! 2010 Results
V.I. Coastweeks
The third Saturday in September marks the beginning of V.I. Coastweeks. During this three week period, community members rally together to remove debris from beaches and coastal shores in an effort to protect marine species and habitats and collect valuable information on the amount and type of debris found. Be a part of the growing success of this event and join a Friends’ sponsored beach cleanup or consider joining our Adopt-A-Beach/Trail Program and adopt a beach or trail to clean throughout the year. To find out more about VI Coastweeks, coordinated cleanups throughout the territory, or Friends’ Adopt-A-Beach/Trail Program please contact Audrey at the Friends, 340-779-4940.