Dateline St. George’s: Established in 2001, the Carriacou Maroon Music Festival is a unique indigenous event that celebrates the rich history and culture of Carriacou. For 2010 it is being merged with a string band competition to create a single compelling event that focuses on preserving the rich cultural expressions of Carriacou.

The Carriacou Maroon & String Band Music Festival will offer visitors the chance to witness the traditional Caribbean practice of a ‘maroon’ – where gratitude is expressed for the last harvest and prayers offered for good fortune during the upcoming planting season. The three-day festival will therefore comprise of traditional songs, dance, drumming, food and other cultural performances.

Scheduled for April 30-May 2, 2010, the three-day festival will begin on Friday night in the village of Bogles featuring a menu of smoked foods, along with local staples, followed by drumming and big drum dancing.

On Saturday night the venue changes to the historical 3-acre lush Belair National Park, which is being transformed into an authentic festival village with a maroon centre and a dedicated stage for cultural presentations.

The third and final day, Family Day, will take place on Paradise Beach with string band performances, children’s events, and swimming races. These will combine to provide a perfect complement to an entire weekend of Carriacou’s culture and heritage.

The festival is supported by the Grenada Board of Tourism, the Ministry for Carriacou & Petite Martinique Affairs and the Ministry of Culture, and is sponsored by national, regional, and local stakeholders.

For more information:

Contact Edwin Frank
Public Relations Officer
[email protected]