The streets of Cruz Bay pulsed with music, color, and movement Friday as St. John’s Celebration Parade brought “Love City’s” Carnival season to a festive finale. Under a high Caribbean sun and with the ocean breeze offering brief moments of relief, dancers twirled in feathers, steel pans rang out, and thousands lined the sidewalks to cheer on royalty, troupes, and moko jumbies.

But amid the jubilant revelry, one of the most powerful moments came in the form of quiet strength—when 13-year-old Devarje “DJ” Daniel, a cancer warrior from Houston, Texas, fulfilled a dream that’s carried him through more than a dozen brain surgeries.
Wearing his new Virgin Islands Police Department badge, marshal, DJ rode with pride and purpose, greeted warmly by the crowd as he waved from the parade route. His visit to the territory was made possible by the Police Benevolent Association, which connected with DJ’s father, Theodis Daniel, during National Police Week in Washington, D.C., and quickly moved to help honor the teen’s wish: to be a police officer.
DJ, who was first diagnosed with brain and spinal cancer at age 7 and given just months to live, has since defied the odds, beating cancer once—and continuing to persevere through its latest challenges. In the process, he’s been sworn in by more than 900 police departments across the United States. “After I reach 1,000, I’m just going to keep going,” he said. “Like I always say, I’m going to keep on going until my gas tank runs out.”

His dad, standing proudly beside him, added, “He’s fought a good fight. He listens, he loves people, and he takes time to make everyone else feel happy. We hope the world can look at that and change some of the ways they behave. If a 13-year-old wouldn’t give up after 13 brain surgeries, then why would you?”
As DJ spoke of the dream he’s still chasing and the father who helped him get there—“some kids don’t have dads like this,” he said—the parade seemed to pause for a breath as he was greeted and honored by VIPD’s top brass, including Commissioner Mario Brooks, a reminder of the hope and resilience at the heart of the season.
Not long after, the energy on the road surged with bright bursts of color as St. John’s Celebration royalty made their grand entrance. Princess Trinity Walters dazzled in a brilliant orange ballgown, waving gracefully from a cherry red convertible. Close behind was Queen Jah’Millia Maloney, whose reign began mid-June and was made all the more memorable, she said, by St. John’s unique tradition of a second crowning ceremony during the annual Food Fair. “It’s something special,” she said. “It makes us different from the other islands in a really meaningful way.”
Junior Calypso King Prince Rainey, age 10, was all smiles as he reflected on his favorite parts of the season. “I like the decorations the most—and the food in the village. The johnny cakes and fries and hot dogs!” he said, beaming as he waved to the crowd.

Adding rhythm and heart to the festivities, the St. John Pan Dragons steel orchestra returned from a recent victory in Virginia to perform for their home crowd. With 25 members ranging in age from 9 and up, the group has long been a staple of the local arts scene. Elaine Penn, a volunteer for more than two decades, said recruiting the players is the hard part—but once they’re in, the learning flows. “They’re enthusiastic,” she said. “It’s all percussion—if you hit it in the right place, it gives you the sweet notes.”
Students from the St. John School of the Arts carried the energy forward with a decades-themed dance routine, time-traveling from the 1960s to today with moves set to The Supremes’ “Baby Love,” Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough,” and Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance with Somebody.” The performance ended in 2025—right back on St. John—with “Carnival is We” playing as the dancers, dressed in gold and silver metallic costumes, brought the crowd to their feet.
Adult troupes made just as big of a splash. The Gypsy Carnival Troupe, one of the territory’s oldest, took the road with a performance themed “Broo Nansi Jam,” celebrating troupe honoree Lillian Garfield as the wise storyteller at the heart of their tradition. Characters along the route included tropical birds, a mongoose, and Anansi the spider—one of Garfield’s favorites.

“We’re young at heart and young in spirit,” Garfield said. “That’s what the Gypsies are all about—checking on each other, having gatherings, keeping the energy up. That’s what being a family is all about.”
Elskoe and Associates also returned with a showstopping entry that honored everyday island life with scenes from a typical Virgin Islands day—from sunrise to market runs, cleaning house, and fishing. The float featured a traditional-style home, complete with an outhouse, while dancers wore costumes blending modern Carnival flair with vintage designs. “Carnival is in the blood,” said organizer and costume designer Alrid Lockhart, who spoke about years watching aunts and uncles take part, and reflecting on his creations with the troupe. “You can always do feathers, but I try to come up with concepts that reflect where we come from—that mean something.”
Other local entries included the St. John Cheer Squad, youth dancers from the Police Athletic League, and the St. Thomas Majorettes, which performed stunts and acrobatics supported by a dedicated crew of volunteers managing props along the route. Moko jumbies loomed overhead, clowns darted between troupes, and seniors hosted by the Department of Human Services waved from shaded viewing areas along the sidelines.

Among them was Wilma Phillips, a retired government worker and longtime Carnival participant. “The only one I missed was last year because I was off island,” she said, smiling. “I love it. I’m just sorry I can’t take part in it anymore.”