Holetown Festival 2008
The Barbados Holetown Festival is held in February of each year on the west coast of Barbados, in the parish of St. James to commemorate the first English settlers in the town in 1627.
The event lasts for one week with live musical performances, street parades, remembrance talks, dancing, a beauty pageant, calypso steel bands, bus tours, and an exhibition held in the Holetown Museum.
The event is rich in culture celebrating both the English and African heritages.
To get a real feel of Barbados, its history and all the people living here, the Holetown Festival is great attraction for locals and visitors to Barbados. During the weeklong event you will find lots to do and the carnival atmosphere is always a hit with the children.
As detailed on this page please find the schedule of events for the 2008 Barbados Holetown Festival.
Sunday February 17, 2008
4pm – Opening Celebrations at the Holetown Monument with Dancin’ Africa, Chrystal Cummins-Beckles, Rapheal Saul, St. James Parish Ambassadors, the Queen of the Festival Amia Weekes and the contestants for 2008, and the presentation of awards.
5:30pm – The Ceremony of Beating Retreat by the Zouave Band of the Barbados Defence Force.
6.00pm until midnight – 12am – The Holetown Liming Tent opens, featuring Traces Steel Band from Canada, Reddy Panners Steel Band, with Karaoke and prizes.
7:30pm – The Festival Gospel Concert at the Holetown Methodist Church…Admission $10.00
Monday February 18, 2008
10am – The Alfred Pragnell Memorial Talk on the development of Calypso by Mrs. Kean Springer.
10:30am – Opening of Exhibition – “Whaling in Barbados” – in the Holetown Library
6pm until midnight – The Holetown Liming Tent opens with Karaoke and prizes
7:30pm – Pine Hill Dairy Night at the Seaside Theatre featuring The Dancers from the School for the Hearing Impaired, Carolyn Leacock and Family, Motown favourites with Kathy-Ann Allman, Keisha Christian and Danielle Gibson M.C: Carson Small.
Tuesday February 19, 2008
10am – Bus Tour of Historic Holetown with Morris Greenidge. Tickets from the Holetown Festival Information Booth. Bus leaves from the Holetown Library.
10:30am – Exhibition continues “Whaling in Barbados” in the Holetown Library.
12:30pm until 3pm – Lunchtime Concert featuring Traces Steel Band from Canada at the Surfside Restaurant.
6pm until midnight – Holetown Liming Tent opens with Karaoke and prizes
7:30pm – Cable & Wireless Barbados Night at the Seaside Theatre Vintage Gospel featuring Joseph Niles, Sister Margarita Marshall, The Soul Winners Band and Praise Dance Academy. M.C:
Wednesday February 20, 2008
10am – The Alfred Pragnell Memorial Talk about the Panama/Bajan connection by Trevor Marshall at The Holetown Methodist Church.
10:30am – Exhibition continues “Whaling in Barbados.” in the Holetown Library
6pm until midnight – The Holetown Liming Tent opens with Karaoke and prizes
7:30pm – Royal Bank Of Canada Night at the Seaside Theatre presenting Traces Steel Band from Canada M.C.
Thursday February 21, 2008
10am – Bus Tour of Historic Holetown with Morris Greenidge. Tickets from the Holetown Festival Information Booth. Bus leaves from the Holetown Library.
10:30am – Exhibition continues “Whaling in Barbados.” in the Holetown Library.
12.30pm until 3pm – .Lunchtime Concert featuring Traces Steel Band from Canada at the Surfside Restaurant.
6pm until midnight – The Holetown Liming Tent opens with Karaoke and prizes.
7.30pm – Surfside Restaurant Night at the Seaside Theatre featuring The Band Nexcyx, and Dancin’ Afrca.
Friday February 22, 2008
10am – The Alfred Pragnell Memorial Talk about the Alleyne Family. by Mr. Robert Morris at The Holetown Methodist Church.
10:30am – Exhibition continues “Whaling in Barbados” in the Holetown Library.
6pm until midnight – The Holetown Liming Tent opens with Karaoke and prizes.
7:30pm – Chefette Restaurants Night – Grant Floodlit Tattoo and night march at the Trents Playing Field with the band of The Royal Barbados Police Force, The Mounted Police, and the cadets of the Regional Police Training School with a specialty number by Dance Strides Barbados.
12am midnight Street Fair Stalls Close.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
32nd Annual Street Fair with Bajan Art and Crafts, food from Barbados and The Caribbean, The Glendairy Arts and Craft Centre, This That and T’other Shop, The Kiwanis Health Shop, The Banks Beer Garden, Traditional Tuk Band Music, Ital food, books, jewellery, shoes, clothing, toys and lots more.
11am – The Banks / Coca Cola Street Parade featuring Vintage and Classic Cars, The Queen of The Festival Princess Best and the contestants for 2008, Stilt Walkers, The Barbados Cadet Corps, Dancin’ Africa, Erdiston and Luther Thorne Primary Schools.
12pm noon – The Holetown Methodist Church – Food for the Body and Soul – .A home cooking restaurant on the lawn and in the flower decorated Church, short recitals by performers from 1.00pm until 6.00pm.
1pm – Mini Concert at the Chattel Stage featuring Anna Beckles.
2pm – The Barbados Tourism Authority presents The Holetown Dooflicky with Folk Parade and Bajan Carnival.
4pm – Mini Concert at the Chattel Stage featuring Traces Steel Band.
6pm – The Banks / Coca Cola Sunset Concert with The Royal Barbados Police Force Band at the Seaside Theatre.
8:30pm – Musical Explosion featuring The Band Kartizan.
12am midnight Street Fair Stalls Close.
Sunday February 24, 2008
9am – Thanksgiving Service at the Holetown Methodist Church. To mark the Anniversary of the First Settlement in 1627.
10am – Street Fair Stalls re-open.
3pm – Mini Concert at the Chattel stage featuring Seaman and his band.
3:30pm – The Michael Parravicino Memorial 7K Road Walk from Speightstown to Holetown.
4:15pm – The Festival 10K Road Run on the same route.
5:15pm – Presentation of Prizes at the Chattel Stage.
6pm – Gala Concert at the St. James Parish Church
6:30pm – The Spiritual Baptists Candlelight Procession and Worship Service at the Seaside Theatre.
7:30pm – The Grand Finale – The Banks / Coca Cola Queen Of The Festival Pageant with seven beautiful contestants in the Auditorium of the St. James Secondary School. Admission $30.00 – Tickets at the door.
8pm – Street Fair Stalls Close.
