Lasting for approximately 5 weeks, and commencing in July, Crop
Over is a Barbadian festival celebrating the end of the local sugar
cane crop harvest - hence it's name.
Colour, culture and heritage (tuk bands, land ship, stilt-walkers),
music (calypso, tuk, ring bang and steelpan), alcohol (locally brewed
beer and rum) along with energy, friendly spirited people and fantastic
summer weather, are all combined to create the Caribbean's ultimate
festival -"more than a carnival, sweet fuh days".
Crop Over was resurrected in 1974 from a multi-decade hibernation
that began in the 1940's due to hardships of the time and the world
war. Since then, it has grown steadily into the island's premiere
event, attracting thousands of new and repeat visitors annually.
The cultural diversity of the island is showcased throughout the
festival through exhibitions, concerts, street markets, parades
and of course mega dust-to-dawn parties (also referred to as fetes
or bashments).
Ceremonial
Delivery of the Last Canes and the Crowning of the King and Queen
of the Crop:
A ceremony where the harvest is officially pronounced closed and
the most productive male and female cane cutters of the season
are crowed King and Queen respectively.
The Decorated Cart Parade:
A colourful procession of costumed people and decorated vehicles
including bicycles, cars and trucks.
Weekly
Calypso Tent shows:
Performances by local entertainers, comedians and calypsonians,
showcasing the latest songs of the season varying from commentaries
relating to recent local and regional happenings to party hits
encouraging acrobatic dance steps and positions.
Several tents open annually and include Bacchanal Time, Conquerors,
Untouchables and the House of Soca.
Daily
Fetes:
Arguably the most unproductive period on the Barbadian calendar,
parties start each day with after-work limes and graduate to full
blown bashments by 11:30 pm lasting to day break the next day.
Hangovers are a common side effect during the first week, while
your body adjusts to the increased levels of adrenaline and alcohol.
Some of the popular places to go to are "Wuh dah da",
"The Ship Inn", "Harbour Lights" and "The
Boartyard". You can also check with costume bands for their
band fetes. Popular ones include Power X 4 and Baje International.
Junior
Kadooment Parade and Junior Calypso Monarch Competition:
The kids get their own special kadooment as well.
There's a calypso competition and Kiddies Kadooment which is
a parade of the little ones "playing mas".
Pic-O-De-Crop
Semi Finals and Party Monarch Calypso competition:
From a line up of 18, 7 must be selected at the Pic-O-De-Crop
Semi Finals competition to compete against the reigning Calypso
king at the Pic-O-De-Crop Calypso competition.
This event recently has been moved to the East Coast road, and
combined with the Party Monarch Calypso competition. A day of
fun and excitement for friends and family is is to be had with
the Party Monarch being the finale. Hosted on the slopes of the
untouched Chalk hills of St. Andrew, overlooking the the breaking
surf of the Atlantic, if you enjoy good music, liming and picnicking
this event is for you.
The
Pic-O-De-Crop Calypso competition:
This competition is strongly supported by locals and is the climax
of weeks of performances by the 8 finalists, who will contend
for the year's crown and top prizes.
Each contestant sings 2 songs and a panel of judges award points
based on such areas as melody and diction.
Fore-day
Morning Jump Up:
A recent addition to the vibrant blend of festive activities,
probably borrowed from Trinidad's carnival, Fore-Day Morning Jump
Up is a early morning "Jump Up", following the selection
of the new King Of Pic-O-De-Crop Calypso competition.
It usually starts from the Bridgetown and makes its way to Spring
Garden. It is a common practice for participants to paint themselves
with oils and body paints. A word to the wise: Don't wear white
or anything you cherish.
Bridgetown
Market:
Held on Saturday and Sunday, Bridgetown Market is a large, street
fair focused on the exhibition and marketing of local art and
craft, talent, music, cuisine and beverages.
It's a wonderful opportunity to pick up unique, hard to find
souvenirs, art work and sample the rich pool of talent born of
the island.
A car show has recently been added to the list of attractions.
Cohobblopot:
The Kings and queens of the year's costume bands are given an
opportunity to show off their dazzling and elaborate costumes,
to the sounds of the latest local calypso hits, while competing
for prizes and the titles of King and Queen of the Festival.
Grand Kadooment:
If you have never experienced Grand Kadooment Day, then you've
been missing out on one of life's great treasures. A summer street
carnival, filled with people consumed with "festival fever",
dancing to Caribbean soca music and wearing spectacular,
multicolored costumes and body paint. It's the climax of the
Crop Over festival - "sweet fuh days" - in Barbados.
The grand climax of the festival, this is a spectacular street
procession of bands of costumed revelers, accompanied by huge
trucks packing elaborate and deathening sound systems and tons
of beverages.
There
are several costumed bands to choose from, and membership is not
restricted to locals. Costumes
range from very conservative whole piece ones to bikini-like ones.
If you plan to "jump", you should wear sneakers already
broken in, use adequate amounts of sun-block, and keep yourself
well hydrated. Rain often blesses the "Jump Up" and
are welcomed as the summer sun can be challenging.
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