Mélange Travel & Lifestyle Magazine October 2019 | Page 288

MONTREAL, CANADA
Spice Island Day
Held annually in July
A Summary of
a Day in the
Spice Isle!
Dressed in his white casual
shorts and crisp white shirt,
Prime Minister of Grenada, Dr.
The Right Honorable Keith C.
Mitchell joined in the festivities
of the second annual Spice
Island Cultural Day in Vinet
Park, Little Burgundy, Montreal
on Saturday, July 13, 2019.
Addressing the over 4,000
Grenadians and friends of
Grenada from Montreal,
Toronto, Ottawa, The United
States and other parts of North
America, Mitchell called for
unity amongst Grenadians
in the Diaspora. “My visit
is mainly to build strong
relationships with Grenadians
living in the Diaspora”, he said.
The Prime Minister was very
excited to see such a large
crowd gathered together in
harmony to enjoy the sounds,
smells and sights of the Spice
Island.
He visited all 27 foods and
arts and crafts vendors selling
everything from Oil Down,
Breadfruit, Julie Mangos, Jerk
and BBQ Chicken to saltfish
souse and bakes. He enjoyed
the Shooting Stars Shortknee
presentation and the welcome
poem they recited to him.
The Shooting Stars ranged in
ages 5 to 10 years. The Prime
Minister was very pleased with
this well-organized Festival and
praised the organizers.
A Community Award was
presented to Grenadian
community stalwart, Gemma
Raeburn-Baynes, by the Prime
Minister, on behalf of the Spice
Island Cultural Day Association
of Quebec, for her tireless
work on this festival and for
her many other initiatives in
Montreal’s Black community
for over 50 years.
The SICDAQ Association
also presented “The Iconic
Grenadian Award” to
Grenadians living in the
Diaspora, in appreciation and
recognition for the great work
they are doing in bringing the
Spice Island to the forefront.
Receiving such awards were
Glen McDonald aka DJ20/20;
Leon Charles, Owner of Greenz
Restaurant; Rossy and Andre
Whiteman of Jab Jab Orchestra
and Lennox Antoine, Owner
of Island Flava Restaurant in
Ottawa.
The Grenada contingent
included The Communal
Co-operative Credit Union,
Century 21 Grenada/
Grenadines and Barry’s
Engineering who presented
their services at the Town Hall
Meeting held on July 12 at
Ruby Foos Hotel, facilitated
by Marketing Officer of
Communal, Ms Chinnel
Andrews and Loans Officer Ms.
Stonna Barry.

Bringing all the heat
directly from Grenada were
Calypsonians Shortpree and
Boyzie, both Monarchs in their
respective genre. Geared to
the youth, these two young
men certainly had everyone
jumping, waving and having a
great time. Doggies, KennyC,
MelloG, Love Man Kent, Zina
Edwards and the Fitz-Patrick
were among the many artistes
holding down the Spice Day.
RideAlong live New York, Mr.
Junior George, was on spot
as the Master of Ceremonies
and kept the eight hour
show moving quickly along.
Performers ranging from
Reggae to Gospel to Calypso
to dancers and cultural
performers packed the
afternoon with music, song,
dance and Caribbean culture.
It was a great Spice Island
Cultural Day which has now
joined Montreal’s Festivals line
up.
Special thanks to CTV, Dan
Delmar of TNKR Media, Global
TV, Breakfast Television,
Community Contact
Newspaper, MPaevum Media,
The GTA Pure Grenada, Mount
Cinnamon Hotel and many
others who brought you
A Taste of the Spice 2019.
Watch out
for it in
2020!!!