Cayman Carnival Batabano is much
more than the fabulous explosion of colour and dance of its parades, and the
next couple of weeks will start to show the vibrancy and excitement of what has
now become an extended celebration of Cayman’s propensity to party and love of
life.
On Friday, 26 March, interested
parties are advised to head down to Oar House for the first in a series of Bar
Hops. These will be a feature of April’s Bata activities, with future hops
scheduled for Friday, 9 April, Friday, 16 April, and Friday, 23 April.
The Bar Hop on Friday, 26 March,
however also presents an opportunity to pre-register for the always-popular
Scavenger Hunt, which takes place on Saturday, 27 March.
Boat
cruise
First, though, it’s time to head
out on a boat cruise in the company of DJs playing the hottest tunes in soca.
The boat Sundance sets sail on Saturday, 20 March.
The soca cruises haven’t been held
for a while, but a series are planned this time around. Take your dancing shoes
– the party starts here. Tickets are available from Le Classique on Mary Street or West Shore
Plaza. Tickets cost $10 pre-paid, or $15 at the dock
on the night.
Cayman Carnival Batabano was
launched 27 years ago by the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman. Its status as one of
the mainstays of Cayman’s cultural heritage and entertainments calendar is now
assured.
The name Batabano refers to the
tracks left in the sand by turtles as they drag themselves up the beaches in
order to make their nests.
Carnival is a tradition throughout
the Caribbean and brings
together music, dance and pageantry to reflect the diverse roots of African and
religious influences. From the colourful costumes to the exciting, rhythmic
music it is the true pulse of what it means to be alive in this beautiful and
blessed part of the world.
Parrots
Since 2001 Cayman Carnival Batabano
has been organised by an independent committee of local volunteers and the
following year the Junior Carnival was introduced to boost the traditional
street parade.
Tourists, locals and interested
Cayman parrots are perennial participants in what has now grown to encompass
more than two months’ worth of events that culminate in the famous street
parade itself.
More information on all events can
be found on caymancarnival.com and
of course here in Weekender.
Cayman Carnival Batabano Chairman
Donna Myrie-Stephen urged people to get involved as soon as possible with the
event.
“Sponsorship opportunities are
still available and any interested company may contact the Batabano committee
or email Batabano@caymancarnival.com with
their interest for a sponsorship package,” she added.
The main street parade, street
fete, art in the heart and food festival are on Saturday, 1 May. Junior
Batabano takes place on Saturday, 24 April.
Schedule of events:
March
Saturday, 20
March – Soca Boat Cruise
Friday, 26
March – Bar Hop & Scavenger Hunt pre-registration at Oar House
Saturday 27
March - Scavenger hunt
April
Saturday, 3
April – Z99 Easter Egg Hunt at Camana Bay
Friday, 9
April – Bar Hop
Friday, 16
April – Bar Hop
Saturday 17
April – Soca Boat Cruise
Friday, 23
April – Bar Hop
Saturday,
24 April – Junior Batabano
Thursday,
29 April – Cocktail Competition
Friday, 30
April – Batabano Song Competition and Street Fete
May
Saturday, 1
May – Street Parade; Art in the Heart; Food Festival; Street Fete
June
Saturday,
26 June – Z99 Full Moon Hunt at Britannia Golf Course
(SPONSORS)
Confirmed sponsors to date include
Caymanian Compass, LIME, Jacques Scott, Swanky International. Sponsors of
Junior Batabano are Hurley’s Group.