24th July, 2012
BRADES, Montserrat - The Caribbean island of Montserrat is
preparing to celebrate its 50th cultural festival from December
14, 2012 to January 1, 2013.
Dubbed Montserrat Festival 50, this year will be a homecoming for
many nationals now living around the world, who were forced to
migrate after volcanic activity began in July 1995.
"Our people abroad have said they are coming home in large
numbers and we plan to make this festival not just memorable but
one that will encourage them to return more often and to consider
investing in our redevelopment," says Honourable Parliamentary
Secretary Jermaine Wade, who has been given responsibility for
pulling off this Jubilee celebration with the support of the
Montserrat Festival Committee.
Montserrat's cultural festival began in December 1962 as an
extension of the numerous activities that were celebrated across
the island for Christmas but also to welcome home those who'd
migrated to the United Kingdom and Canada for work.
Until today, hundreds make the annual trek home to experience
among other things the traditional St. John's Day village
festival on December 27, the masqueraders and string bands which
are fixtures of Montserrat's festival. This December those
numbers are expected to increase dramatically.
"We want people to tell us that they are coming even if they've
already made reservations at local guesthouses and villas or
staying with family and friends," says Project Officer with the
Montserrat Tourist Board Rosetta West. "Our accommodation stock
is not at pre-volcano levels and we want to make sure that
everyone is taken care of so that they can have the best
experience possible for our 50th celebration."
While events are still being added to the calendar, a preliminary
list of activities has been released by the festival committee.
These include both daytime and evening activities for the entire
family, lots of community events, pageants and competitions to
choose from.
"We don't want anyone to be left out," says Chairman of the
festival committee Johnny Wyke. "Our programme has been expanded
to offer workshops on making our national dish goat water, stone
oven bread, a cake and wine show, village meet ups along with the
popular calypso competitions, parades and queen pageants. There
are also many private activities added to the calendar to cater
to community groups and social clubs so that everyone can enjoy
Festival 50."
The organisers of the Alliouagana Festival of the Word have
shifted this fourth year's event from November to December 7 to 9
in order to take advantage of the expected increased crowds. The
focus this year will be Caribbean films as well as launching new
literary projects focused on commemorating Montserrat's 50 years
of festival.
The Montserrat Secondary School Alumni Association will be
hosting its second reunion, which includes a week of social and
community events with funds raised donated to the local high
school. Other charity events during the month of December are the
mnialive.com charity hike and the Sir Howard Fergus Scholarship.
Popular events such as the Emerald Community Singers Show, Night
of Pan, and the Regional Women's Calypso Show will join newcomers
such as Soca Frenzy's international show, a 50th Gala to honour
the former pageant queens and calypso monarchs and the village
meet ups which will give residents of neighbourhoods now
destroyed to congregate and reminisce while enjoying traditional
string band music.
New Years Day festivities with mas bands reminiscent of festival
days at Sturge Park look set to make a return this year, with
more than 15 bands already registered. In recent years, the
annual street parade has seen less than seven mas bands on the
route. This year, several new bands will make an appearance
including Waka Waka Mas band out of the United States with their
Treasures of Alliouagana theme. Some sections of Island Diva Mas
band have already sold out in their Rendezvous themed costumes.
There will be several t-shirt troupes along with mas bands Flour
People, A Bijou Production, Flower Garden, 50 Strong, Montserrat
International Troupe and the Rotaract Invaders.
Full details on how to contact the mas band leaders to register
or to add events and sponsor Festival 50 activities can be found
on www.montserratfestival.com. Follow the progress towards
Festival 50 on twitter @mnifestival.
Where to stay on this tropical paradise?
Our villa offers a panoramic view of the ocean and towering lush
mountains, with breathtaking sunset views and star filled skies.
Just a short walk away is one of the best beaches you will ever
see. Woodlands is a secluded beach surrounded by cliffs where you
will often be the only visitors enjoying the Caribbean waters and
Montserrat's famous black sand beaches. Swim or snorkel around
the cliff to your left and find a tiny private beach only
accessible by water. This is where my husband proposed to me!
Woodlands, where our villa is located, is the most wooded area on
the island. It is lush with vegetation, palm and fruit trees and
flowers of all sorts. The vegetation and dramatic views of the
mountains create a cool breeze refreshing breeze throughout the
villa.
Three private suites, each with full bath and sitting area sleep
6.
http://www.vrbo.com/409480
susan@asi-adoption.com
+1 732 221 9483
