Thousands of People from Around the World Will Flock to Barbados to Enjoy the Crop Over 2012 Celebrations
Crop Over originally celebrated the end of the yearly sugarcane harvest in Barbados. It began in 1688, colonial times, when sugarcane was Barbados’ biggest industry. Since then it has evolved to become Barbados’ largest festival celebration.
This year, Crop Over and Kadooment in Barbados promises to be jam-packed with incredible music and costumes. Hundreds of Americans as well as tourists from all around the world are planning to attend this world recognized Carnival of music, costume and revelry.
For information about Crop Over events and schedules in Barbados visit the Totally Barbados Events Calendar.
Barbados Crop Over 2012 celebrations started in May 2012 with youth and vintage Cavalcades. The first Cavalcade was a collection of music and dance performances by Barbados’ youth. This was held in Briar Hall, Christ Church.
In June the Crop Over celebrations continues with heritage tours of Barbados, and the official Crop Over launch party. The launch party will take place on Sunday June 30th at Queen’s Park.
During this day at 12pm a festival of dance, music, and performance will commence. Three stages will be built on which artists will perform. Spectators will enjoy folk, reggae, hip-hop, gospel, soca and calypso music, as well as poetry readings, island skits, creative dances, fire eating, limbo dance, steel pan and more.
Traditional food such as cou cou and flying fish will be served. Other Barbados attractions at the festival will include a farmers Market, a Craft Marketplace, an Urban Village, Steelpan Workshops, Bajan Fashion, and a Mega Kids Zone.
In July even more celebrations will take place such as a visual arts festival and musical performances including gospel singing, steel pan and calypso. There is also the ‘Pic-O-De-Crop’ semi finals at which top Calypso and Soca musicians compete.
The ‘Pic-O-De-Crop’ finals happen the following month, in August, with many other vibrant events that take place in this final month of Crop Over.
Other celebrations in August include markets and a visual arts evening. August finishes with the Crop Over finale – ‘Grand Kadooment’, which will take place on Monday August 6th, 2012.
‘Grand Kadooment‘ is a colorful, lively parade, which is similar to ‘Trinidad Carnival’ or ‘Notting Hill Carnival’. Think drums, music, dancing, sequins, feathers, and fun. Locals dress in incredible costumes – sparkly bikinis in vibrant colors with matching, feathered head dresses and tail feathers.
Some wear giant, light-weight costume sculptures which either tower over the wearer’s head or explode around their legs. The parade dances to the sounds of Calypso music. Acclaimed Calypso and Soca artists such as ‘Red Plastic Bag’ perform upon moving floats to the revelers below.
Every year thousands of people from all over the globe travel to Barbados to take part in, and witness, this colorful feast for all the senses.
In 2011 Rihanna, the Barbadian Princess of pop and international super star, performed on her own float clad in scarlet sequins and fiery feathers. While she visited her home country she also performed a sellout Rihanna concert at the Kensington Oval in Barbados.
Visit Barbados for Crop Over 2012 activities involving both entertainment and heritage events.
Additional Information:
June 25th, 2012
https://www.totallybarbados.com/articles/barbados-news/barbados-news-2012//
