The St. Thomas Adults’ Parade swept through Charlotte Amalie Saturday, and even bouts of heavy rain didn’t stop revelers from capping off the 2025 Carnival season in style.
The Gypsy Troupe doesn’t let the rain stop them from reveling during the 2025 Adults’ Parade Saturday on St. Thomas. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)
The colorful column of parade entrants was headed up by this year’s grand marshal, Shaka Zulu, and a full court of Virgin Islands Carnival royalty. Next came the Yard Vibes Steel Band and troupes like Mosaic Wave, Sparkle and the Jesters.
St. Thomas Carnival Adults’ Parade Grand Marshal Shaka Zulu heads up Kronprindsens Gade ahead of the festivities Saturday in Charlotte Amalie. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)Carol Tuohy, upper right, cruises through downtown Charlotte Amalie during the 2025 Adults’ Parade Saturday on St. Thomas. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)Kamaria Penn troupes through Charlotte Amalie with the Jesters Carnival Troupe Saturday on St. Thomas. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)
The rain couldn’t hold off forever, and before long, troupers and parade-goers were either looking for shelter or embracing the wet fete.
Kena Ridenour helps a fellow Sparkle Carnival Trouper with her head wrap ahead of the 2025 St. Thomas Carnival Adults’ Parade Saturday in downtown Charlotte Amalie. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)
Adrian Outridge, marching for the first time alongside the Hugga Bunch Carnival Troupe, said he was prepared for a bit of inclement weather but that he wouldn’t mind getting dry.
“I was prepared — but I gotta make sure to keep this cup full,” he said, gesturing to his tumbler.
Alumni of Stunts and Twirlers Majorettes make their way up Kronprindsens Gade during the 2025 Adults’ Parade Saturday on St. Thomas. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)Sparkle Carnival Troupe marches into Post Office Square during the 2025 Adults’ Parade Saturday on St. Thomas. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)
Throughout the afternoon, familiar Carnival favorites like the V.I. Superior Court Rising Stars Steel Orchestra — thundering up Kronprindsens Gade in a three-truck caravan — kept the energy up. Troupes like Elskoe and Associates, Gypsy, Epic Mas and Remedy followed.
The Virgin Islands Superior Court Rising Stars Youth Steel Orchestra plays through a downpour during the 2025 Adults’ Parade Saturday on St. Thomas. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)The Elskoe and Associates Carnival Troupe parades up Main Street Saturday on St. Thomas. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)
V.I. Police Commissioner Mario Brooks told the Source he was thankful for the collaborations that made Saturday possible.
Sparkle Carnival Troupe starts its walk up Kronprindsens Gade during the 2025 Adults’ Parade Saturday on St. Thomas. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)Epic Mas keeps things moving during the 2025 Adults’ Parade Saturday on St. Thomas. (Source photo by Kit MacAvoy)
“Thus far we’ve had no major incidents, and we’re very happy for that,” he said. “And we attribute that a lot to people just policing themselves as they’re seeing each other, reaching out, ‘hey, we’re here to have fun’ — that’s the key. Fun, but safe fun. As long as we maintain that, I think we’re going to do good.”
