Carnival Pageant Participation Uneven as Youth Divisions Lag and Four Enter Ambassadorial Queen Race

With fewer than 10 days remaining before the pageant registration deadline for the 2026 St. Thomas Carnival, lawmakers and festival officials are confronting low participation in the younger divisions even as interest in the Ambassadorial Carnival Queen Pageant exceeds recent years.

The issue surfaced Tuesday when the Division of Festivals appeared before the Committee on Government Operations, Veterans Affairs, and Consumer Protection. Committee chair Senator Avery Lewis asked how many contestants would be competing for this year’s St. Thomas crowns.

“We have one contestant for Princess and one for Junior Miss,” responded Ian Turnbull, director of the Division of Festivals. Unless additional hopefuls register before the February 20 deadline, those titles will be awarded through coronation rather than competition.

At the same time, the Division of Festivals has confirmed that there are four contestants in the St. Thomas Ambassadorial Carnival Queen Pageant — more than participated in St. Thomas last year and more than the two who competed on St. Croix. The Ambassadorial contestants are Safiah Wharton #1, D’quana Lewis #2, Ajeune Willett-Tyson #3, and Jahniya Williams #4.