Grenada’s biggest annual festival promises fun for everyone
St. George’s, Grenada- St. George’s and other towns in Grenada will be alive this August 8th and 9th when the annual celebration of Grenada’s Carnival culminates in a two-day festival. Considered by many to be an unforgettable time to visit the island, the joyous event will include exciting calypso and steel band competitions, along with colorful costume parades and street “jump-ups.”
Visitors will enjoy dancing to the rhythm of calypsos and steel bands in the streets of St. George’s and other towns, as well as viewing colorful costumes that add to the beauty of this spectacular Caribbean destination.
Carnival itself comes from the Latin word carnelevare, which means, “farewell to meat.” Medieval Romans and Frenchmen started the tradition by gorging themselves on meat and merriment the day before the commencement of the strict fasting that was imposed by Lent. The festive, quasi-religious celebration traveled to the Caribbean in the 17th century via the French aristocracy who threw magnificent masked dances at their plantations between New Year’s Day and Lent. The slaves began mimicking and parodying their elaborate dresses and courtly manners. Their clothes were fashioned with whatever came to hand; taffeta and chiffon became coarse cloth and rags. This is basically how Carnival in Grenada, also known as “Spice Mas,” came into being. It was subsequently repositioned within Grenada’s calendar of events to permanently occupy the second weekend of August each year.
During the time of Carnival and throughout the summer, the Flamboyant Hotel and Villas is offering a special. The resort is offering every fifth night free on all-inclusive packages. Room rates start at $105 per room, per night.
For more information, contact (473) 444-4247 or visit www.flamboyant.com.
Known as the “Spice Island of the Caribbean,” Grenada boasts some of the Caribbean’s most beautiful beaches, stellar international and West Indian cuisine, a tropical rainforest, and a wide range of world-class, fun-filled activities such as diving, snorkeling, hiking, fishing, sailing and mountain biking. Grenada can be reached from the U.S. with Air Jamaica’s service from major cities including Los Angeles, New York and Miami. Grenada can also be reached by BWIA daily from New York and Miami, via Port-of-Spain, and American Eagle via San Juan.
