An observation – even a very casual one – of the work of the National Democratic Congress Government would undoubtedly reveal that in the past nine months, an inordinate amount of emphasis has been placed on our nation’s cultural, sports and tourism products. One of the government’s main reasons is to create a niche for generating revenue.
The Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Culture and Sports and the Ministry of Tourism have been proactive in establishing various local committees and staffing them with competent individuals with talent in organising and presenting cultural and sporting events; individuals also with competency to help negotiate with international airlines to keep them flying in to the soon-to-be renamed Maurice Bishop International Airport.
Where the government is not directly involved, it readily gives its staunch support to private initiatives in sports, culture and tourism. The combined government and private sector efforts are expected to pay large financial dividends this summer. Thousands of visitors from near and far will join locals for a series of events that will run from May to August. The result should be a financial bonanza for the nation-state of Grenada.
The first of the summer activities is a new event, Rock d Spice, which has the full backing of the Ministry of Tourism. Businessman and promoter Steve Duncan is the chief organiser of Rock d Spice, a three-day fiesta of food, concert, and arts and craft to be held from May 29 – 31.
The concert, scheduled for Saturday, May 30, at the National Stadium, will feature Grammy Award entertainer Shaggy, world renowned reggae band Third World, and Trinidad soca star, Destra. The cast will be complement by a number of Grenadian artistes such as Ajamu, Mr. killa, Lavaman, Brother B and Inspector.
Grenada’s next major international spectacle after Rock d Spice will be the return of test cricket to the Spice Island. Bangladesh is embarking on a summer tour of the Caribbean, and the country will play a test match against the West Indies in Grenada. The second test, at the National Stadium, is from July 17 – 21.
Carriacou’s portion of the summer festivities begins on July 26 with the start of the annual Regatta. The Regatta is nine days of boat races, fetes and concerts, culminating on August 3.
However, before Carriacou’s Regatta would have ended, tourist and locals would have had the opportunity to partake in at least two other outdoor activities – Grenada Summer Sail 2K9 and Rainbow City Festival.
Summer Sail organizers say they want to make 2009 a “different type of vacation’’ for visitors. They are promising that participants will “sail from island to nearby island’’ from July 29 – August 5, enjoying snorkelling and experiencing “memorable nights under starry, moonlit skies.’’
Rainbow City Festival, a mega blend of carnival show, gospel concert and art exhibition, will be held in the big parish of St. Andrew, La Baye, from July 31 to August 3. .
