Events on Carriacou in 2010
New Year Celebrations on Carriacou – December 31 and January 1st
On the last day of the year, many hotels, restaurants and nightclubs, hold gala balls and parties, with special dinner menus and live entertainment to help welcome the new year.
The first day of the new year is celebrated by many in Grenada with traditional religious services.
Spice Island Billfish Tournament – January 24th to28th
The Spice Island Billfish tournament consists of three fishing days separated by a lay day and is held at the end of January each year. The event normally boasts plenty of game fish action as it is positioned in the peak of the billfish season with sailfish, white marlin and blue marlin available.
Carriacou Sailing Series – January 13th to 16th
An annual two day sailing event for racing (spinnaker), Cruiser/Racer (spinnaker or double headsail), Cruiser (Non-spinnaker, single headsail with pole), Charter (non-spinnaker) and multihull sailing boats.
Grenada Sailing Festival – January 29 to 2 February and February 6th and 7th
The Grenada Sailing Festival attracts sailing enthusiasts from all over the world, and for the first time in 2010 will feature two consecutive week-ends of racing and activities.
Grenada Independence Day – February 7th
Grenadians celebrate the anniversary of their independence, with national ceremonies and parades featuring the Royal Grenada Police Force, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides and various schools.
Carriacou’s Carnival – from 13th Feb
Carnival celebrations in Carriacou are held from the weekend before the start of the Christian Lenten period. In the tradition of Caribbean Carnivals, these celebrations include calypso competitions and the parade of brightly costumed masqueraders through the streets of the Hillsborough. Unique to Carriacou Carnival is the Shakespeare Mas, in which brightly dressed Peirrots engage in a battle of wits using only lines from Shakespearean plays. The competitor without a quick reply earns a playful stroke from his opponent’s stick.
St. Patrick’s Day Festival – March 17th
Grenada’s northern parish of St. Patrick celebrates the feast of St. Patrick with a week of activities including exhibitions of local arts and craft, agricultural produce, food, drinks and cultural extravaganzas.
Grenada Triathlon – date to be confirmed
Easter Celebrations on Carriacou – 2nd to 5th April
Religious services marking Holy Week, start on Holy Thursday, and continue through Good Friday, and Easter Saturday, climaxing with the commemoration of the ressurection of Christ on Easter Sunday
Regional String Band & Maroon Music Festival – April 23rd to 25th
Launched in 2001, the Carriacou Maroon Music Festival provides a scintillating 3-day display of Big Drum Nation Dance, String Band Music and Quadrille Dancing at the Belair Park in Carriacou. The objectives of the Carriacou Maroon Music Festival include preserving our rich cultural expressions and showcasing it to others by attracting visitors from North America, Europe and the Caribbean in one setting, one spirit, as one big happy family. Sample the maroon food of rolled rice and coo-coo, with stewed peas, provisions and your choice of chicken, mutton or pork, all cooked in large iron pots on open fires. Then experience the nightly shows with Big Drum National Dance, String Band Music, Shakespeare Mas, Quadrille and African Dances, blended with a touch of Calypso, Reggae, Soul and Blues.
Labor Day – May 1st
Each year the first day of May is celebrated in Grenada with parades and parties organised in honour of Grenada’s workers.
Mother’s Day – May 9th
Mother’s day is always on the second Sunday in May. What not celebrate it at the Hotel Laurena Dinner Dance which is held on the evening of Saturday the 8th May? Please contact Hotel Laurena to reserve your tickets for what will be a memorable evening.
Fisherman’s Birthday – June 29th
Celebrated by Grenada’s fishing communities, the Fisherman’s Birthday Celebrations honour the feast day of St Peter and St Paul which falls on 29 June. The day begins early in the morning with religious services during which fishermen and their boats are blessed in the hope of receiving protection whilst at sea. The day then takes on a more celebratory feel with many communities holding special events with boating races, fireworks displays and copious amounts of food and drink.
Carriacou Regatta – July 25th to August 2nd
The Carriacou Regatta began in 1965 as a local boat race using the traditional fishing workboats, to continue the indigenous art of Boat Building handed down by Irish and Scottish Ancestors. Since that time, it has evolved into a major Caribbean event, held over the Emancipation holiday weekend, with keen competition among sailors from many of the neighboring islands – Grenada, Tobago, Martinique, Antigua and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Highlights include Miss Aquaval Queen Show, Miss Wet T-shirt, Donkey Racing, Greasy Pole and numerous cultural and sporting events.
Grenada’s Carnival – August 9th and 10th
From dawn on Carnival Monday, the streets of Grenada’s towns are filled with traditional masqueraders depicting Devils (Jab-Jabs) and social commentaries of the highlights of the past year (Ole Mas). Spectators and masqueraders alike dance to the sounds of steelbands and DJs playing the latest carnival melodies.
On Monday afternoon the fancy or pretty bands appear briefly on the streets as they make their way to the big stage where competition is fierce in the fight for Band of the Year.
The street party continues on in the evening as the Monday Night Mas bands make their way thorugh the streets from 8 pm onwards dancing and waving brightly coloured lights.
Thanksgiving – October 25th
Thanksgiving in Grenada is a public holiday commemorating the anniversary of the 1983 Caribbean and American military intervention in Grenada.
Carriacou Parang Festival – December 17th to 19th
Festivities begin on the Friday with a free open-air concert in the streets of Hillsborough featuring carol singing, cultural presentations and parang string bands, followed by house-to-house “”paranging”" all night.
On Saturday night enjoy live performances from entertainers from around the world.
On Sunday organized parang groups from villages throughout Carriacou, Grenada and Petite Martinique compete for the challenge trophy and cash prizes, performing a compulsory Christmas Carol and their selected piece. Traditional Carriacou celebration dances such as the Quadrille and Big Drum will also spice up the night
Christmas on Carriacou – December 25th
Christmas Day in Grenada is marked by religious celebrations and an increased generousity of spirit wihtin the local population. Christmas traditions include the display of Nativity scenes and Christmas trees, the exchange of gifts and cards, and the arrival of Santa Claus at children’s parties during the festive season.
Christian churches celebrate with midnight services on Dec 24, and for many Grenadians, Christmas day is spent with friends and family, eating traditional foods and recounting stories of yesteryear.
Many shops open late into the evening on Christmas Eve (Dec 24), while several restaurants will offer special Christmas Day menus for both lunch and dinner.