A celebration of the iconic Crucian paté with vendors, music, and the best the island can fry, fold, and feed.
The paté is the Virgin Islands' most beloved hand-held food. A flaky pastry pocket stuffed with seasoned saltfish, chicken, beef, or lobster, fried golden, eaten hot. Every Crucian grandmother has a recipe, every household has an opinion, and every food vendor on the island thinks theirs is the best.
For one day every June, we settle it.
The Paté Festival is a free, all-day celebration of the territory's signature dish. Twenty-eight vendors line the Frederiksted Pier serving every variation imaginable. There's live music from local steel pan bands. There's a kid zone, a "Best Paté on Island" competition judged by a panel of community elders, demonstrations from veteran cooks, and a sunset finale on the pier.
Bring cash, bring your appetite, bring the whole family. Pace yourself.
Vendors set up, opening blessing from community elders, and a steel pan procession down Strand Street.
VI Cultural Heritage OrgAll 28 vendors open simultaneously. First batch of saltfish, lobster, chicken, and vegetarian patés.
All VendorsVeteran cook Marjorie Charles walks you through her grandmother's recipe, from dough to fold to fry. Bring a notebook.
Marjorie Charles · Charles Family BakeryJunior paté-folding station, face painting, supervised play area. Free, no signup required.
VI Cultural Heritage OrgQuelbe at its finest. The territory's premier traditional band brings the dance floor to life.
Stanley & The Ten Sleepless KnightsFive judges, blind tastings, and a community vote. Winner takes home the Golden Paté trophy and bragging rights for a year.
Hosted by Mayor of FrederikstedCaribbean soul and jazz as the sun goes down over the pier. Bring a chair if you want one.
Eddie Russell & The Caribbean PlayersVendors pack up, community cleanup, "see you next year" hugs and exchanges.
Quelbe legends preserving the territory's traditional dance music since 1969.
Caribbean soul, jazz, and original compositions. Born and raised in Frederiksted.
The territory's youngest steel pan band. Featuring students aged 9 to 17 from STX schools.
Vendor applications open 90 days before each event. Get notified.
Bring cash. Most vendors accept cards but some don't, and lines move faster with bills. ATMs are scarce on Strand Street.
Come hungry, eat slow. 28 vendors. You will not try all of them. Pace yourself, split orders with friends, take notes if you must.
Parking fills up by noon. Free public lots are available at the Frederiksted Boardwalk and along King Street. Walk over from there.
Bring a chair. Especially for the sunset set. The pier has some seating but not 1,000 chairs' worth.
Sunscreen and a hat. The pier has limited shade. June sun on the West End is no joke.