Montserrat Unveils Summer Schedule of Festivals

Montserrat Unveils Summer Schedule of Festivals

Montserrat will host its sixth annual Calabash Festival, July 17 to 24, 2011. The week-long event offers an array of festivities highlighting the talents of local artisans and designers. Named after the calabash fruit that was traditionally used to produce eating utensils, musical instruments and decorative items, the festival seeks to promote the destination through a range of events such as a family fun day, hike to Rendezvous Bay Beach, island tour, boat excursion to the former capital city Plymouth, a food fair and the newest addition of a fashion show.

The Cudjoe Head Festival will be held from July 29 to 31, 2011. The festival invites residents and visitors to celebrate the destination’s African heritage. Organized as a way to unify the residents of Cudjoe Head and the remaining cultures that share the small island, the festival is also an avenue for Montserratians to highlight their African roots and the impact it has on the destination’s culture.

The village of Cudjoe Head was named after the 18th century slave, Cudjoe, who ran away from his master and was caught and beheaded. His head was placed on a silk cotton tree as a reminder to other slaves who were considering the valiant run to freedom. Festivities have grown to include a steel band performance, road race, and an exhibition of goods produced in the village.