Lavida Cottoy Named 2026 Village Honoree as
The Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee launched plans for the 72nd Emancipation Festival on May 22, naming veteran cultural advocate Lavida Cottoy the village honouree and Roberto "Tico" Harrigan Grand Parade Marshal. Organisers say the festival will run from July 25 to August 11, 2026, with an expanded lineup of international, regional and local talent and a revised parade schedule; officials told Guavaberry that planning began as early as October 2025 and several headline acts had already been booked by January.
Lavida Cottoy was named the village honouree for the 72nd Virgin Islands Emancipation Festival during the official launch on Friday, May 22, at the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park, organisers announced. The launch also revealed the festival’s creative selections, headline performers and a full performance schedule for the 2026 celebrations (VINO).
The Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee (VIF&FC) confirmed that the festival will run from July 25 to August 11, 2026, with main concert nights featuring major international and regional artists alongside a broader programme that will include more than 35 local artists and bands (VINO; Guavaberry).
Roberto "Tico" Harrigan was named Grand Parade Marshal at the launch. Organisers unveiled the confirmed ticketed headline acts at the launch, with 450 & R. City set for July 29; Sizzla & Shaneil Muir on July 31; Problem Child & Patrice Roberts on August 1; and Beres Hammond, Nadia Batson and Adam O (with backing band Blind Earz) on August 4 (VINO).
Guavaberry’s reporting adds that regional star Popcaan is also among the performers being secured and that the committee has been working to lock in headline acts early. Festival Chair Natalie Penn Lake told a radio interviewer that the committee began preparations as early as October 2025 to improve organisation and secure talent months in advance. "We have already started planning the Emancipation Festival since last year," Penn Lake said, noting that several headline acts had already been booked since January (Guavaberry).
The festival’s creative selections were announced at the launch: the winning theme, chosen from a public competition, is Shavia Potter’s entry, "Culture Rising, Hearts Aligned, VI Festival, One of a Kind!" and the official slogan by Rekeela Turnbull reads, "Echoes of Heritage, Rhythm in the Mix, Celebrate Virgin Islands Festival 2026" (VINO).
Organisers said these creative elements will guide marketing and programming as plans are finalised. In addition to headline concerts, organisers outlined a packed calendar of cultural events across Tortola including Calypso competitions, Soca Monarch, Gospel Fest, the Miss BVI Pageant, Fungi Fest, the Grand Parade and the traditional Rise and Shine Tramp (Guavaberry).
These staples are intended to balance tourist appeal with strong local participation. Officials also announced a scheduling change: the Emancipation Parade will take place on the Saturday following August Monday rather than on the holiday itself, a move organisers said was necessary because of scheduling conflicts involving Rise and Shine Tramp celebrations (VINO; Guavaberry).
The Road Town Festival Village is expected to bear Lavida Cottoy’s name in recognition of her decades of service to Virgin Islands culture and entertainment (Guavaberry). The May 22 launch marks the official start of festival preparations, with organisers pointing to ongoing work on booking, logistics and community outreach.
Residents are encouraged to follow festival announcements for ticket information, parade details and the full schedule of local performances as more details are finalised (VINO; Guavaberry).
Primary source: VINO