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Crop Over, Barbados

Las escuelas con mayor importancia de la ciudad desfilan en el sambódromo durante el Carnaval de Río de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro Carnival, Brazil
El Carnaval de Recife y Olinda se caracteriza por el género de frevo en sus bailes y música
Recife and Olinda Carnival, Brazil

 

What is the Crop Over Festival?

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The Barbados Crop Over Festival, also known as the Barbados Crop Over, is a major historical celebration held in the Caribbean country. Crop Over is a celebration that reflects the colonial past when sugar cane was the main source of labor. During the celebration, diverse cultural manifestations flourish through indigenous art, crafts, music, games and the strengthening of the bonds of brotherhood among the islanders. Crop Over is a celebration that reflects the colonial past when sugar cane was the main source of work.

Barbados goes through several months of celebration; however, the festival does not reach its peak until late July or early August. Barbados Crop Over is a major event that brings together the bulk of the population to celebrate its identity, tradition, history and culture. Barbados Crop Over is a great event that brings together the bulk of the population to celebrate its identity, tradition, history and culture.

The island is flooded in a greatparty atmosphere from start to finish that encompasses events of all kinds, bothprivate and public. In addition, every week there are a host of contests and concerts that you won’t want to miss for anything in the world. Barbados is definitely the king of celebrations during the months of July and August.

The Barbados Crop Over is a great meeting point for all residents and the Barbadian diaspora who flock to the island every year to be part of this incredible celebration. The event also has a great international recognition, thanks to the participation of great world-class artists such as Rihanna, a Barbadian singer.

 

The Crop Over Festival is a great event that promotes the cultural identity of the islanders

The Crop Over Festival is a great event that promotes the cultural identity of the islanders

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When is the Crop Over Festival?

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The Crop Over in Barbados is a celebration that lasts about 3 months; however, it is the last week that is considered the official one, when the events take place with greater force and importance.

The Barbados Crop Over Festival takes place approximately between July 28th and August 3rd.

 

 

History of the Crop Over Festival

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The original tradition of the Crop Over began in 1687 as a way of marking the end of the annual harvest, but it was widespread throughout the region at that time, so the festival was also practiced in otherCaribbean islands such as St. Vincent, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica. These celebrations were mainly organized by those who worked on the plantations. During the celebrations it was commonto give some gifts such as food and liquors. In addition, the celebration also served as an exhaust valve against the unfair and forced workdays during slavery.

Over time, the celebration was integrating other elements, such as music, dance, competitions and concerts. This new integration of elements would make way for what is known today as “fetes”. At that time, the festivities were mainly held in secret. During World War II, the festival was at a critical point, as geopolitical conditions did not allow the festival to take place.

Once the war ended, in the year 1974, the festival came back to life as an alternative on the part of the Barbados Tourist Board to function as a tool to boost tourism on the island. In this way, they could integrate the variouscultural elements into the celebration and furthermore, incorporate a carnival theme to their festivities.

Today, the Barbados Crop Over lasts for a full 3 months of pure public and private celebration. The festivities see a large concentration of cultural manifestations reflected through the music, the dancing, the competitions and the food. The festival reaches its peak in the last week of the festivities when the most entertaining and popular events take place.

 

Where is the Crop Over Festival

The Crop Over is held in Bridgetown, the capital and largest city of the Caribbean country of Barbados.

The city of Bridgetown has a total area of 40 square kilometers and is home to some 110,000 people.

 

World-class celebrities like Rihanna attend the Barbados Crop Over Festival

World-class celebrities like Rihanna attend the Barbados Crop Over Festival

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How the Crop Over Festival is celebrated

The Barbados Crop Over Festival features a host of events that commemorate the identity of the islanders. From start to finish, the festival is composed of diverse elements such as music, competitions, food and sports activities. The Crop Over is at the same time, a tool that recognizes those whowork for the social welfare and growth of the nation..

The Barbados Crop Over have some elements that stand out within the celebration, of which the following can be named:

 

Music

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Music is one of the cultural components that stands out the most within festival and the Caribbean. The rhythms and tunes present in the festival are the living representation of the Caribbean identity that has been present for centuries, so it is inevitable that it is present in the festivities.

The Barbados Crop Over Festival features musical events that comprise a large part of its program of activities that deserve a special section.

 

Calypso Tent

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The Calypso Tent or Calypso Tents are venues where calypso artists generally perform during the festival season. These spaces are halls or community spaces where the seating and stages that house the artists are installed. In addition, the venues serve for a large number of events, they are not exclusively for musical performances related to calypso.

There are shows and performances every week since May.

 

Soca Monarch

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The Soca Monarch is one of the events that has the most impact in the rest of the Caribbean countries. The event is a large competition of soca music artists, one of the major and popular genres in the Caribbean..

The event includes both children and adults, so there are children and adult competitions.

 

Sports

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The cricket is one of the sports that has become part of the identity of the Caribbean, including in Barbados. The Crop Over Festival also provides opportunities for locals and tourists to get involved in this sport.

Cricket was brought by the English during colonization and since then, it has been one of the most popular sports in the region.

Fetes

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Fetes is another element that stands out in the celebration. As in many other Caribbean celebrations, especiallyduring Carnival, the fetes or fetes are elements that can never be missing. As is characteristic of carnivals, the fetes have different themes where the imagination is the limit.

At the Barbados Crop Over Festival you can get themed parties such as the Cooler Fete, where participants are encouraged to bring their own cava to celebrate. In addition, you can also find the Breakfast Fete, where people gather in the morning to celebrate and breakfast and drinks are included.

 

Cultural Events

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Because the Barbados Crop Over is a major festival containing the most significant aspects of the Barbados identity, it was only logical that within the schedule of events and celebrations were to be found activities that promote and develop the island’s culture through the various vehicles. The festival features the following cultural activities:

 

Art exhibition

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The Festival will showcase the works of art that reflect the image of some of the best visual artists in Barbados. The exhibition has three main components comprising two-dimensional works, three-dimensional works and artworks.

This exhibition will seek to bring new opportunities for cmarketing, exhibition, presentation, sales and education in relation to the various disciplines contained in thevisual and aesthetic culture of Barbados.

 

Barbados Heritage walk

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The Barbados Heritage Walk is a grand tour of the city of Bridgetown that encompasses several streets streets and monument of great historical and cultural importance. Some of the streets that take the tour are: the Fairchild Street, Bay Street, Nelson Street and many other areas of the capital.

 

Parade

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The parade is one of the obligations of the festival. This takes place during the Grand Kadooment, one of the last days of the festival.

Like many other carnival celebrations in the islands, the parade features Bandas Mas. These bands are key to the traditions of Caribbean carnival and have a service of costumes, entertainment and drinks offered to participants to party with. It should be noted that these ensembles are part of a competition that is judged during the parade to grant the title of winner to the band that provides the best entertainment..

The Mas Bands that are part of the Barbados Crop Over Festival are:

  • African Heartbeat
  • Aura Experience
  • Azure International
  • Baje International
  • Betty West Kadooment Band
  • Blue Box Cart Band
  • Colorz Entertainment
  • Dusk Til Dawn
  • Erupt The Band
  • Fifth Element
  • Gwyneth Squires Band
  • Jump Promotions
  • Kontact
  • Krave The Band
  • Lux Crop Over
  • M Version Communities 50
  • Mas Mania Productions
  • Meta Worldwide
  • Ooutrage Festival Band
  • Passion Vybz Kadooment Band
  • Power X 4 Next Generation
  • Romp International
  • The Crocodillians
  • Tropical Fantasy
  • Walk Holy Kadooment Band
  • Wednesday 2000
  • Xhosa Barbados
  • Xplosion International The Band
  • Zulu International

 

Tips for going to the Crop Over Festival

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If you decide to attend the Crop Over Festival in Barbados, we recommend planning your trip in advance, making a travel itinerary and booking your preferred accommodations in advance. Also, be sure to pack light clothing so you can fully enjoy your carnivals.

For a complete carnival experience, we recommend that you participate directly in the parade by purchasing the Bandas Mas package offered by the festival organizers. If you do not have the possibility to purchase the package you can still see the festival with the costumes and music trucks, but you do not participate directly in the event.

We advise you to stay hydrated and apply sunscreen whenever your skin needs it, because during the Crop Over Festival, temperatures remain above 25 degrees Celsius.

 

Events at the Crop Over Festival

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While the Barbados Crop Over Festival has a duration of about 3 months, the major events occur in the last week of the celebration. The festival includes a great series of events that occur frequently, these fall into various categories such as live concerts, cultural activities, parades, sporting activities and many other events of cultural and national interest.

 

Ceremonial Delivery of the Last Reeds

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The Ceremonial Delivery Of The Last Canes or Ceremonial Delivery Of The Last Canes is an event thatopens the festival and has a great cultural significance. The event refers to sugar canes. Barbados was one of the most popular countries in terms of harvesting canes for sugar production, so the event pays tribute to the workers in that sector.

The event is also accompanied by live entertainment, searching for the treasure and musical performances.

 

Pic-O-De-Crop Finals

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It is a contest called Pic-O-De-Crop where several artists perform a series of pcalypso performances to win the title of winner. The event is highly anticipated by fans of the musical genre and is of great importance to the festival and the entire nation.

 

Bridgetown Market

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It is an event that takes several days of celebration. It is abig four-day street fair with vendors of all kinds offering their merchandise. In addition, the whole event is accompanied by live music and some areas of entertainment, recreation and food fairs..

The event includes the participation of around 150 stalls, which are judged by a panel of judges to choose the best tent.

 

Cohobblopot

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The Cohobblopot is abig carnival extravaganza with members of the bands participating in the parade to show off the elaborate and colorful costumes. There is also a huge repertoire of entertainment for calypso lovers and entertainment for children known as “Kiddies Kadooment.” The Cohobblopot is a Carnival extravaganza with members of the bands participating in the parade to show off the elaborate and colorful costumes. The event also features folklore concerts andart and photographic exhibitions, highlighting the history and culture of Barbados.

 

Grand Kadooment

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The Grand Kadooment is the event that closes the festival with a flourish. During the event there is agreat parade with all the participating bands that make up the festival. It is a great event where thousands of people attend to celebrate with drinks and music.

 

Thousands gather to celebrate the Barbados Crop Over Festival

Thousands gather to celebrate the Barbados Crop Over Festival

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Crop Over Festival Parades

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The Parade takes place at the end of the festival and is known as the Grand Kadooment. During the parade, thousands of people attend the streets to dance and enjoy. The parade is replete with costumes of the Mas bands, all of these completely covered in feathers and glitter. In addition, the music trucks make a presence on site to liven up the entire celebration for all participants to dance and enjoy. The revelers also have thermoses delivered by the bands to consume different drinks and cocktails.

 

The parade is judged by apanel of judges who will determine the best Mas Band. All bands compete against each other for thewinner’s title, which will give the band a high reputation at the festival. The judges take into consideration several elements when judging, such as the entertainment, the music and the attitude of the revelers in the streets..

The parade has the particularity of having two starting points, at which various groups and bands are located. Despite having different starting points and routes, both parades meet at the end of the route to continue the party all together. Once both parades have met, they head to another location to perform the After Pary..

 

Parade route

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Barbados Crop Over Festival takes place in the last days of festivities

Barbados Crop Over Festival takes place in the last days of festivities

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One of the parades departs from Warrens at 8 am. The parade continues Green Hill, then crosses Codrington Street where it will pass by the judging panel to be judged and then heads toward Station Hill, crosses over to the Frank Worrell traffic circle to culminate at the Mighty Grynner Highway.

The other parade departs from the National Botanical Garden, then heads to Codrington Street and then continues on to meet the other parade at the Mighty Grynner Expressway.

 

Fishcakes are traditional snacks of Barbados

Fishcakes are traditional snacks of Barbados

 

What to eat at the Crop Over Festival

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Barbados has a good number of varied dishes that are made mainly with seafood. Like the rest of the Caribbean islands, Barbados’ cuisine is phenomenal and unique in its style. When you visit the island, you will see the many choices of dishes you can try, ranging from hearty dishes to appetizers, sweets and traditional drinks.

One of the most well-known and popular snacks in Barbados is the Fishcake or fish fritter. These are fish balls that are made with flour, fish meat, onion, egg and some spices. The mixture is divided into bite-sized balls and then fried in plenty of oil. The fritters are eaten hot and can be accompanied with a cold beer.

In addition, you can also try the Conkies. These are a kind of tamale that are made with cornmeal, coconut, potatoes, raisins and pumpkin. All the ingredients are mixed together to form a bun and then wrapped in a banana leaf. It is then steamed and eaten hot. The dish can be found in other Caribbean islands, but has other ingredients and names.

The city of Bridgetown also offers a good number of restaurants, bars and cafes that you can visit to expand your gastronomic experience on the island. Some of the most famous options are: Lobster Alive, Waterfront Café, The Boatyard, Coffee Barbados Café, Brown Sugar Restaurant and Copacabana Beach Bar & Grill..

 

Conkies are traditional Barbadian sweet tamales

Conkies are traditional Barbadian sweet tamales

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What to see and do inside the Crop Over Festival

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If you extend your visit to Barbados, you canexperience the festival from the very beginning, featuring several musical performances and great cultural events. If you are unable to attend during the first months of the festival, you can still be part of the event during the last week, which is considered the week with the highest number of important events.

Once the official celebration begins, you can attend the Ceremonial Delivery of the Last Reeds, one of the commemorative events of the festival and the one that kicks off the festivities. Then, you can go to the Pic-O-De-Crop Finals where you can see a number of artists with a vast repertoire of songs of traditional Caribbean genre.

During the last few days you can attend the Bridgetown Market, where you’ll find a hundred stores and stalls selling crafts, food and various local products. Then, you can attend the Cohobblopot which has a large number of events for all ages. Finally, you can attend the big parade known as the Grand Kadooment, where you can see all the Bands Mas or participate directly in the parade.

What to see and do outside of the Crop Over Festival

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The city of Bridgetown offers you a wealth of tourist attractions, many of which are natural attractions due to the island’s magnificent geographical location.

 

Carlisle Bay

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It is a large silver of fine sand and crystal clear turquoise waters. It is one of the best beaches to hang out and be with friends and family. The waters are calm and you can rent umbrellas, chairs, jetskies and go on turtle watching tours.

 

Pebbles Beach

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It is a clean beach with crystal clear waters and fine sand. Throughout the beach there is an atmosphere of peace and tranquility. The waters are quality and low, so you should not worry if you are traveling with children. The beach is quite exposed to the sun, we recommend you bring an umbrella or rent one in the vicinity.

 

Browne Beach

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It is one of the best beaches in Barbados. It has an extensive area of fine white sand. The waters are crystal clear, warm and calm. You can rent some chairs and umbrellas and even see turtles and starfish.

 

Weather at the Crop Over Festival

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During the Crop Over Festival, the city of Bridgetown has warm weather, with temperatures ranging from 25 to 31 degrees Celsius. We recommend staying hydrated, applying sunscreen and staying in the shade.

 

Thousands of people attend the Crop Over Festival with Bandas Mas sets

Thousands of people attend the Crop Over Festival with Bandas Mas sets

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How to get to the Crop Over Festival

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The city of Bridgetown has its own airport known as Grantley Adams International Airport, which receives flights from several countries in the Caribbean and Americas. Once you are here, you can make use of the different means of transportation until you reach the city center.

 

How to get there by cruise

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The city has its own port where it receives a good amount of tourists mainly from Europe and USA.

 

How to get there by bus

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From the airport you can take a bus directly to the city center. The ride is 40 minutes and the fare is about 2 US dollars.

Thecity of Bridgetown is also connected with the rest of the regions of the islands through its stops and terminals.

 

How to get there by car

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From the airport you can take the Tom Adams Highway to the city center. The trip takes 25 minutes.