Barbados has started the celebrations for its most popular festival, Crop Over 2009, taking place now until Aug. 3. Spanning approximately 14 weeks during May, June, July and August, Crop Over commemorates the end of the sugar cane season with music, masquerade, heritage and culture. The grand finale, and national holiday, known as Kadooment Day, occurs Monday, Aug. 3, with a parade of costumed dancers and fireworks.
Crop Over dates back to the 1780s when Barbados was one of the world's foremost sugar producers and has evolved to become a series of entertainment and heritage events. This year's theme is "Celebrating We Heritage" and aims to engage more people at the community level. Crop Over begins with the Super Six Cavalcades in May continues into the summer with Heritage Fairs highlighting artists and their crafts and culminates in August with big stage shows boasting pyrotechnics, flashing lights and booming sound systems.
During the final three days of Crop Over, Spring Garden Highway is the heart of the festival. The entire stretch of road is converted to a marketplace of arts and crafts, traditional foods, plus entertainment including steel bands, dance groups, folk performers, gospel singers and calypsonians.
Air Jamaica has also renewed their flight service to Barbados with twice weekly flights from JFK and a new Bajan Invasion package. Air Jamaica, Barbados and STS Vacations have introduced the exclusive Bajan Invasion limited time offer starting at $500 per person (plus $82.70 tax), inclusive of three nights accommodation at The Rostrevor Hotel, air, airport transfers, Barbados Gourmet Card and government taxes, available from July 2 to Aug. 30, just in time for the island's Crop Over celebration. For more information, call 800-221-9831 or visit www.visitbarbados.org.
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