Barbados Grand Kadooment: Cultural Spectacle Marks 50th Crop Over Anniversary

Revellers are set to hit the streets Monday morning for the Barbados’ largest spectacle.

Flow Grand Kadooment is expected to be an exhilarating and epic cultural display putting the icing on the cake of two months of festivities that marked the Crop Over festival’s 50th anniversary.

At 9 a.m., 18 bands will assemble in the Helipad Car Park in Bridgetown to transform the streets of St Michael into a sea of vibrant colour, as pretty mas’ and old mas’ are displayed by veteran bandleaders and newcomers, heritage bands and contemporary offerings alike.

Masqueraders will leave the assembly point and proceed onto the Princess Alice Highway, then onto President Kennedy Drive via Prescod Boulevard.

The parade makes the left at Eagle Hall Junction (at the traffic lights) to head onto Black Rock Main Road before making a left at the Frank Worrell Roundabout (at the bottom of Cave Hill) culminating on the Mighty Grynner Highway where bands will end the day at Kensington Oval.

Spectators can line the streets from Princess Alice Highway to the Mighty Grynner Highway where they will be treated to special performances between the registered bands including percussion groups, cultural characters, entertainment zones along the route and a magnificent 50th Anniversary Crop Over tribute that promises to be a thrill.

The costume judging point for bands Opposite Micro Garment Factory, BIDC Building No. 8. on Harbour Road. The NCF music truck will be home again to a number of top Bajan artistes slated to be on the road.

Along with tourists who are on island to play mas and watch the spectacle, there are a number of international journalists in Barbados to capture the historic 50th anniversary of Kadooment.

Producers of the Festival, the National Cultural Foundation continues to implore the viewing public who support, observe and enjoy the spectacle, colour and creativity to do so safely from the sidelines and “party in peace”.

Revellers, as well as consumers lining the streets, are being reminded by NCF chief executive officer Carol Roberts to show their support by partying in peace.

Speaking at the official media launch of Flow Grand Kadooment she thanked all stakeholders for their support over the past five decades.

“I encourage us all as a people to respect and endorse the efforts of the bandleaders and their teams; it’s not easy and it does not start two weeks before Grand Kadooment, it starts the year before, and their task is a very difficult one in this climate as almost every destination that we know of now has some form of carnival”.

Flow Grand Kadooment participants are also being asked to observe best practices as hotter temperatures affect the island. To ensure masqueraders remain hydrated, plenty water stations will be strategically placed along the entire Flow Grand Kadooment route. Vendors will also be fully stocked with Dasani – the official water of the festival.

“Let us put our heads, our hearts, and our hands together and show off the best behaviour, experience and creativity that we all know we’re capable of”, the CEO added candidly to her plea for an all-hands-on-deck approach to the grand finale of Crop Over 2024.

Marilyn Sealy, Senior Director and Head of Communications, C&W Communications, voiced Flow’s support of the grandeur and excitement expected on Grand Kadooment Day.

Speaking on the longstanding relationship with Crop Over as something the island’s leading telecoms provider holds dear.

“Flow has long been a proud and resolute supporter of the Arts, culture and heritage in Barbados and we recognise the profound importance of celebrating our rich traditions and highlighting the vibrant spirit of our people”, the senior director said

While sharing that the company had invested over a quarter of a million dollars in Crop Over’s golden jubilee, as they proudly supported other events on the Crop Over calendar including Flow Soca On De Hill and Flow Dis Is Rick, she also added that she expects Flow Grand Kadooment to be a spectacular success.

“This event is a highlight for many, a day filled with colourful parades, captivating music, and a celebration of our cultural heritage. Flow’s commitment to enhancing the experience of Grand Kadooment underscores our dedication to keeping Barbadians connected to the things that matter most – our culture, our community, and our shared moments of celebration” said Sealy. (PR)