Caribbean Dreams Magazine Volume 2 | Page 49

Barbados' Celebrations & Festiv als Barbados’ Celebrations and Festivals Trying to decide when to take a vacation, stay-cation or break from work? Consider a holiday that falls, close to the dates outlined below, for fabulous opportunities to learn about the islands celebrations, festivals and the customs. December | Run Barbados | Dec 6th – 8th The first weekend in December marks the Run Barbados festival A Fun Mile, a 5k, a 10k, a Half-Marathon, and a Marathon make up this event. Since its inception in 1983, runners from the world around have flocked to the island to participate in this charitable event. Run Barbados festival is open for persons of all fitness levels, from the highly competitive down to the stroller. While many are in it for the competition, some see it is the opportunity to get the blood pumping while interacting with friends. • 1-246-467-3600 www.runbarbados.org/ Christmas | Dec 25 th Christmas is one of the most highly anticipated seasons in Barbados. It begins with our music, then moves into our houses, and our food right down to our outfits when persons get to show off their best. The climax takes place on Christmas day. Persons, decked out in their finest, head to Queen’s Park for a grand promenade. From the young to the old, it’s said that anyone who is anyone is in Queen’s Park or Christmas morning; and that’s only one of the island’s holiday traditions. Check online at www.caribbeandreamsmagazine.com for more on Bajan Christmas. January | Naniki Caribbean Jazz Safari- Barbados Jan 16th – Jan 21st 2013 saw the dawn of a new regional festival - The NANIKI Caribbean Jazz Safari. This musical ride travelled throughout the Caribbean. It started in Barbados, in January, continued in Antigua in April, Grenada in June, then Suriname in August and St. Vincent in October. The show featured local, regional and international talent to treat the ears of jazz fans. The overwhelming response would, no doubt, indicate continuity and growth for many years to come. Barbados Horticultural Society’s Annual Flower Show | Jan 25th & 26th This annual show held by the Barbados Horticultural Society at Balls Plantation in the parish of Christ Church is a haven for nature lovers; it is an exhibition of the most beautiful and exotic flora offered by Barbados and the other islands of the Caribbean. The Society uses this platform to show off its award-winning horticultural and flowerarranging expertise and is a show not to be missed. •Balls Plantation, Christ Church February | Holetown Festival Feb 9th – 16th In the year 1627 British sailors established Holetown, Barbados first known settlement, on the West Coast. To commemorate this historic event, there is an annual weeklong celebration in February, known as the Holetown Festival. This event features many interesting parades, dancers, live music, arts and crafts booths, and of course, delicious Bajan delicacies! If you are in Barbados around this time be sure to be part of this colourful and funfilled event. Caribbean Dreams | 49