Grand Anse Vendors Market

Meet us@ the Grand Anse Vendors Market
For hand crafted gifts, pop over to this market on Grand Anse Beach. You can watch artisans create paintings, jewellry, hats, carvings, batiks, essential oils, baskets, spices and strawware. Also spice and herb demonstrations and local eats and drinks. As featured on Travellers Guide Grenada

Gouyave Fishermans Birthday

Do a lap of Gouyave like Olympic, World and Commonwealth 400 metre champion Kirani James and visit Gouyave the fishing village of St. John’s. The 29th June is Fisherman’s Birthday. This festival celebrates the feast of St Peter’s, the patron Saint of Fishermen with the tradition of blessing nets and boats. Sailboats from around Grenada and the Caribbean return to Gouyave for a day of competitive workboat racing and street party. Gouyave Nutmeg Station The largest processing station of nutmeg and mace on the island in St John’s.Fedon’s Camp After the treaty of Versaillies in 1783, Grenada was ceded to the British who then imported a large number of slaves from West Africa to work on the plantations. In 1795 the British control was challenged by the

slave rebellion led by Julian Fedon, a black undercover agent recruited by the French revolution. Fedon’s
coffee and cocoa plantation situated in Belvedere, St. John’s was an ideal spot for his headquarters, chosen
for its inaccessibility. The attack started simultaneously in Grenville and St John’s. Although the rebellion
was overthrown after 15 months by the british military command led by General Nicholl, tension remained
St Patrick’s high until the abolition of slavery in 1834. As featured on Travellers Guide Grenada

Grenada Independence

Independence Day of Grenada Celebrated?
Grenada celebrates annually Independence day first week in February.
Grenada became an independent nation on February 7, 1974.

Home to more than 110,000 people, Grenada is also known as the Isle of Spice as it is one of the largest exporters of nutmeg. Grenada is now famous as a tourist location and every year thousands of people flock to this beautiful Caribbean country.

From whom did Grenada gain its independence?
Grenada had been invaded by a number of European countries over the years. The Spanish, English, and French had all colonized it at one point of time or the other. In 1649, France took full control of the island. Grenada was the largest producer of sugar in the Caribbean and was one of the richest colonies of France. In 1763, France yielded its control over Grenada to Great Britain. The British ruled Grenada for more than 200 years. Finally on February 7, 1974, Grenada gained its independence.

How is Independence Day celebrated in Grenada?
Grenada celebrates its Independence Day on a grand scale. The government organizes colorful events, parades, games and even free street concerts throughout the island. The government also organizes ceremonies in honor of those who have laid down their lives for the nation’s independence. Parades by school children, the Grenada Police Force, and various non-governmental organizations such as the Girl Guides, and the Boy Scouts are quite a regular feature. An all-day annual sailing competition is a huge favorite with the local population. Shops and offices stay closed to commemorate the event. The Independence Day celebrations also bring friends and associates together.

What does the national flag of Grenada represent?
The national flag of Grenada was designed by Anthony C. George of Soubise in Saint Andrew Parish. It was adopted on the very day the country gained its independence. Three colors, red, yellow, and green, have been used to make the flag. These colors represent the country’s African legacy. Red, yellow, and green represent valor and vitality, sapience and warmth, and abundance and agriculture respectively. The country’s capital, Saint George’s, is represented by a yellow star encircled within a red circle at the center. There are six yellow stars representing the six parishes of the country are there in the red border. The symbol of a nutmeg in the hoist symbolizes its status as the principal crop of Grenada and is also a link to its former name, Isle of Spice.

Who composed the national anthem of Grenada?
The national anthem of Grenada, Hail Grenada, was written by Irva Merle Baptiste and was composed by Louis Arnold Masanto. Hail Grenada has been the national anthem since Grenada became independent in 1974.

Carriacou Parang

Every year since 1977, the Parang Festival has taken place on the tiny island dependency of Carriacou on the weekend before Christmas, with the aim of reviving and maintaining the dying tradition of “house to house” serenading of hosanna carol singing and string bands.
Children and the older population are the main focus on the Friday and Saturday nights with Santa in attendance handing out goodies, and old-fashioned carols performed by junior and senior singing groups. Things get serious on the Sunday night, with the much anticipated Parang String Bands Meléé competition, featuring bands from different villages throughout Carriacou, Petit Martinique and Grenada who must first perform a compulsory carol, followed by a composition of their choosing. Each band comprises eight members dressed in brightly coloured costumes who play a combination of melodious percussion instruments, creating a joyful sound and uplifting atmosphere.

Carriacou Maroon Festival

Carriacou Maroon & String Band Music Festival

There are so many exceptional events occurring throughout the world during the year. However, on the tiny island of Carriacou, there is one unique festival that showcases traditions, rituals, song, dance and other spiritual aspects like none other. Held over the three (3) day period April 26 – 28, the 2013 Carriacou Maroon & String Band Music Festival is ideal for those looking for a pure and culturally untamed experience. One of the highlights of the Carriacou Maroon is the eating and sharing of the smoked food commonly consisting of rolled rice, provisions, a choice of meat and more. Whereas you will normally prepare this on a stove top and sit around a dining table, at the Carriacou Maroon Festival, the food is prepared in large pots over a fireside, shared by the villagers and just might be served in a calabash. Another major highlight of the Carriacou Maroon & String Band Festival is its various authentic cultural performances. This tiny island comes to life with the presentations of the big drum nation dance, quadrille dances and Shakespeare Mas. It is a bit difficult not to stay fixated on the barefooted ladies with colorful head wraps and large skirts dancing vigorously to the deep sounds escalating from the big drums. This year, additional performances come in the likes of the Black Stalin from Trinidad, the Lashing Dogs from the British Virgin Islands, the Harmonites from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Carriacou Big Drum and much more. Three days, three venues but one festival. As we say, once you have experienced the Carriacou Maroon and String Band Music Festival, your life will never be the same! For information on getting to Carriacou, where to stay once you get here and getting around the island, visit www.carriacoumaroon.com or contact us via the details below: Grenada Board of Tourism Main Street, Hillsborough Carriacou Tel: 473 443 7948 Fax: 473 443 6127 Email: carrgbt@spiceisle.com Web: www.grenadagrenadines.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/discoveregrenada Twitter: www.twitter.com/discovergrenada Youtube: www.youtube.com/grenadagrenadines - See more at: http://www.grenadagrenadines.com/blog/experience-the-2013-carriacou-maroon-string-band-music-festival/#sthash.87JBb8p0.dpuf

Carriacou Maroon & String Band Music Festival

There are so many exceptional events occurring throughout the world during the year. However, on the tiny island of Carriacou, there is one unique festival that showcases traditions, rituals, song, dance and other spiritual aspects like none other. Held over the three (3) day period April 26 – 28, the 2013 Carriacou Maroon & String Band Music Festival is ideal for those looking for a pure and culturally untamed experience. One of the highlights of the Carriacou Maroon is the eating and sharing of the smoked food commonly consisting of rolled rice, provisions, a choice of meat and more. Whereas you will normally prepare this on a stove top and sit around a dining table, at the Carriacou Maroon Festival, the food is prepared in large pots over a fireside, shared by the villagers and just might be served in a calabash. Another major highlight of the Carriacou Maroon & String Band Festival is its various authentic cultural performances. This tiny island comes to life with the presentations of the big drum nation dance, quadrille dances and Shakespeare Mas. It is a bit difficult not to stay fixated on the barefooted ladies with colorful head wraps and large skirts dancing vigorously to the deep sounds escalating from the big drums. This year, additional performances come in the likes of the Black Stalin from Trinidad, the Lashing Dogs from the British Virgin Islands, the Harmonites from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Carriacou Big Drum and much more. Three days, three venues but one festival. As we say, once you have experienced the Carriacou Maroon and String Band Music Festival, your life will never be the same! For information on getting to Carriacou, where to stay once you get here and getting around the island, visit www.carriacoumaroon.com or contact us via the details below: Grenada Board of Tourism Main Street, Hillsborough Carriacou Tel: 473 443 7948 Fax: 473 443 6127 Email: carrgbt@spiceisle.com Web: www.grenadagrenadines.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/discoveregrenada Twitter: www.twitter.com/discovergrenada Youtube: www.youtube.com/grenadagrenadines - See more at: http://www.grenadagrenadines.com/blog/experience-the-2013-carriacou-maroon-string-band-music-festival/#sthash.87JBb8p0.dpuf

Carriacou Maroon & String Band Music Festival 2020

There are so many exceptional events occurring throughout the world during the year. However, on the tiny island of Carriacou, there is one unique festival that showcases traditions, rituals, song, dance and other spiritual aspects like none other. Held over the three (3) day period April 26-28, the 2020 Carriacou Maroon & String Band Music Festival is ideal for those looking for a pure and culturally untamed experience. One of the highlights of the Carriacou Maroon is the eating and sharing of the smoked food commonly consisting of rolled rice, provisions, a choice of meat and more. Whereas you will normally prepare this on a stove top and sit around a dining table, at the Carriacou Maroon Festival, the food is prepared in large pots over a fireside, shared by the villagers and just might be served in a calabash. Another major highlight of the Carriacou Maroon & String Band Festival is its various authentic cultural performances. This tiny island comes to life with the presentations of the big drum nation dance, quadrille dances and Shakespeare Mas. It is a bit difficult not to stay fixated on the barefooted ladies with colorful head wraps and large skirts dancing vigorously to the deep sounds escalating from the big drums. This year, additional performances come in the likes of the Black Stalin from Trinidad, the Lashing Dogs from the British Virgin Islands, the Harmonites from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Carriacou Big Drum and much more. Three days, three venues but one festival. As we say, once you have experienced the Carriacou Maroon and String Band Music Festival, your life will never be the same! For information getting to Carriacou, Carriacou map, where to stay once you get here and getting around the island email info@travelgrenada.com

Carriacou Maroon Music Festival

Meeting world class standards, the 2015 Carriacou Maroon Music Festival is the event for those persons who wish for an experience with a difference. The Festival merged the maroon celebration and string band music into one setting with one spirit as one united island. Its African origins were depicted through the drumming, singing, smoked food and other rituals practiced by the local people. It epitomizes food, music and culture by bringing people together.

Belair Village Maroon

You will experience a genuine maroon in its natural, home setting. Experience the morning rituals of blowing the shell, wetting the ground and the cooking of smoked foods. From 4:00 pm-6:00 pm you will eat and share the ancestral smoked food after which there will be a flambeau parade and dancing of smoked food in the ring, this will be followed by drumming and singing. Remember, the 'maroon' has communal and spiritual features all steeped in rich African traditions. To end the night, everyone will head to the Coconut Bar in Hillsborough for the welcome party at 11pm..

Strings in the City" & "Cradle of Culture,

Belair Heritage Park

Meet on Main Street, in the town of Hillsborough for 'Strings in the City' where various groups perform with string band instruments. Later on that night, the festival stage will come alive at the historical and charming Heritage Village, Belair Park; home of Carriacou's social and cultural activities. The program consists of two parts: firstly, presentations of big drum nation dance, quadrille dances, Shakespeare Mas and other cultural art forms by both local and regional groups. Secondly, there will bea concert featuring regional artistes. Photo courtesy of Lebawit Lily Girma.

 Paradise Beach

An entire evening of pure, untamed and pulsating music; the setting is the magical Paradise Beach with the perfect natural backdrop of Sandy and Mabouya Islands. Just imagine it! The day's special will consists of a varied menu of tasty seafood! Performances are scheduled to begin at 4pm and will feature quadrille, big drum, steel pan, and different genres of music

Getting to Carriacou & Petite Martinique

There are regular weekly flights from North America and Europe to Grenada's Maurice Bishop International Airport (MBIA). The journey to Carriacou is a short fifteen minutes ride by air or two hours by sea. Whichever option you choose you are sure to have an exciting trip filled with breathtaking views of our islands.

Travelling by Air

 St. Vincent Grenadines Air (SVG Air) operates daily flights between Grenada's Maurice Bishop International Airport and Carriacou's Lauriston Airport. The 20 minute flight is EC $124 one-way or EC $245 return. With 2 morning and 2 afternoon departures (except on Thursdays), it is easy for visitors and business travellers to spend at least one day exploring Carriacou.
Ticket prices and schedules are subject to change so please contact SVG Air for more information -
St. Vincent Grendines (SVG) Air
Tel: 473 444-1475

Travelling by Sea

For visitors already in Grenada the Osprey Ferry operates daily round-trip service between Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique. The 90-minute journey on a power-catamaran travels along Grenada's scenic west coast from St. George's, passing the small islets between Grenada and Carriacou and arriving in Hillsborough, before going onto Petite Martinique.
For a day trip to Carriacou passengers should get to the Queen's Jetty on the Carenage (opposite the Fire Station) by 08:30 to purchase tickets from the Osprey's ticket counter. In Carriacou tickets can be purchased from the Osprey's office on Main Street, Hillsborough. Tickets cost EC $80 one-way or EC $160 return per person.