The Barbados Crop Over Festival is Barbados biggest and most exciting summer festival. This colourful five-week festival is held to celebrate the successful end to the sugar cane harvest for yet another year. The hallmarks of this cultural festival are sweet calypso music, dazzling costumes, vibrant street parties, exquisite local cuisine and of course great fun for all.
This festival dates back to the 18th century when the then colonial Barbados was a major producer of cane sugar. But as sugar cane production in Barbados decline over the years so too did the festival resulting in its termination in the mid 1900’s.
However in 1974 the government and Barbados Tourism Authority revived the festival as a cultural extravaganza and as a major tourism-marketing ploy. Since then the Crop Over festival has been transform significantly and today people from all over the world visit the island to take part in Grand Kadooment.
There is more to the Barbados Crop Over Festival than the massive street party and the booze that flow generously during the Grand Kadooment celebrations. You only have to take part in the many activities planned during the five weeks to, realize that this spectacular festival has been appropriately describe as more than a carnival. It is a cultural extravaganza, which features.
Barbados Crop Over Festival Frequently Asked Questions
What is the history of the Crop Over Festival?
The Crop Over Festival has a rich history that dates back to the 18th century in Barbados. Originally, it was a way for plantation owners to celebrate the end of the sugar cane harvest season. Over time, it evolved into a cultural extravaganza, showcasing the island's vibrant music, dance, and food.
What is the main music of the Barbados Crop Over festival?
The main genres of music during the Barbados Crop Over festival is Calypso and Soca. Over the years, Calypso music, with its witty lyrics and catchy melodies, add a touch of nostalgia and storytelling to the festivities. Soca music, with its infectious beats and energetic rhythms, reflects the island's vibrant culture and love for dancing.
Barbados Crop Over Festival Ceremonial Delivery of the Last Canes
An integral part of the Barbados Crop Over Festival is the Ceremonial Delivery of The Last Canes. This is an official ceremony held to pronounce the close of the island’s sugar harvest. One of the main events of this ceremony is the crowning of the king and queen of the sugar harvest.
The crowning of the king and queen of the crop was conceptualized to honour the most productive male and female cane cutters during the sugar harvest. Over the years some really out sanding workers have been awarded the prestigious title of King and Queen.
Barbados Crop Over Festival Pic-O -De-Crop Competition
The Pic-O-De-Crop calypso competition is another one of the much-anticipated events of the Barbados Crop Over Festival. Calypso is the heartbeat of the festival… entertainers know as calypsonians are organized into Calypso Tents where they perform the latest songs of the season ranging from social commentaries to more up tempo party songs.
Creativity, lyrics and musical arrangement are the focal point of the Pic-O-De-Crop musical competition, where calypsonians highlight the happenings of the day in song. A number of outstanding calypsonians have won this competition among them are Sir Don, The Mighty Gabby, Red Plastic Bag, John King, Edwin, Kidsite, Adrian Clarke and the lone female queen Rita.
The winner of the Pic-O-De-Crop competition is crowned calypso king or queen this person has a reign of one year.
Barbados Crop Over Festival Bridgetown Market
The Barbados Crop Over Festival also features Bridgetown Market a another cultural extravaganza held on the Spring Garden highway. This event is held over two days this fun market place feature a number of stalls catering to arts, crafts and delicious local cuisine.
Usually held on the second last Saturday and Sunday of the festival you can also get a glimpse of the islands traditional folk characters like the amazing Stilt Men, Shaggy Bears, Mother Sally and of course the Bajan Tuk Band.
Barbados Crop Over Festival Grand Kadooment
Grand Kadooment Day usually takes place on the first Monday in August. On this day the Barbados Crop Over festival reaches its grand finale. Kadooment day as it is called is celebrated as a national holiday. With one massive carnival parade.
As a matter of fact it is the island’s biggest party of the year where groups of revelers in dazzling costumes or body paint jump long the streets to the most popular calypso rhythms.
Road March Tune is the most popular tune played on Grand Kadooment. This calypso song is chosen by judges strategically place along the route travel by the bands of costume revelers. At the end of the day the song that got the best response from the various costume bands and deejays will be crowned Road March king or Tune of The Crop winner.
BOOK A HOTEL DURING THE BARBADOS CROP OVER FESTIVAL
Tamarind Cove Hotel Barbados is located about 19 minutes away from the start of the Barbados Crop Over Festival Waterford.
Beach View Hotel is located about 19 minutes away from the start of the Barbados Crop Over Festival Waterford.
Crystal Cove Hotel is located about 17 minutes away from the start of the Barbados Crop Over Festival Grand Kadooment at Waterford.
Waves Hotel is located about 15 minutes away from the start of the Barbados Crop Over Festival Grand Kadooment at Waterford.
Radisson Hotel is located about 14 minutes away from the start of the Barbados Crop Over Festival Grand Kadooment at Waterford.
Hilton Hotel is located about 19 minutes away from the start of the Barbados Crop Over Festival Grand Kadooment at Waterford.
Sugar Bay Hotel is located about 14 minutes away from the start of the Barbados Crop Over Festival Grand Kadooment at Waterford.
Coconut Court Hotel is located about 14 minutes away from the start of the Barbados Crop Over Festival Grand Kadooment at Waterford.
Soco Hotel Barbados is located about 14 minutes away from the start of the Barbados Crop Over Festival Grand Kadooment at Waterford.
Pirates Inn Hotel Barbados is located about 16 minutes away from the start of the Barbados Crop Over Festival Grand Kadooment at Waterford.
Restaurants Close to Barbados Crop Over Festival Grand Kadooment
Rascals restaurant is located about 2 minutes away from the finale of the Barbados Crop Over Festival Grand Kadooment on the Mighty Grynner Highway
Chefette restaurant is located about 2 minutes away from the finale of the Barbados Crop Over Festival Grand Kadooment on the Mighty Grynner Highway