Cardinall Avenue is the place to be today as George Town takes its turn in the Heritage Day spotlight.
Pirates Week, presented by SaxonMG, is fully in swing once the heritage celebrations come around and Cayman’s current capital is keen to show off its wares with a packed day of family-friendly activities.
You might want to skip breakfast just this once to ensure plenty of room for the wonderful traditional dishes which will be on offer at the food stalls. They open from 10am onwards so no need to craggle up any bacon, scramble eggs or, indeed, chuck a pineapple in the oven upside down. Nope, this is all about the magnificent fare that is available on Cayman and the sounds, smells and of course tastes are going to be so good you’re going to want to hang around the food area all day.
But that would be silly because there are a host of extremely exciting activities to get stuck into, too. From 10am to midday why not let out your artistic side with the design your own shopping bag contest or the design your own T-shirt contest? Remember this year’s theme is Cayman’s Marine Life, so that could give you some inspiration.
Remarks from George Town committee chairman Dale Ramoon follow at the official opening at 11am, then there’s the unique and quintessentially Cayman activity of conch shell blowing at 11.15. More wonderful food follows at 11.30 with the snapper cook-off; this is where the culinary stars of tomorrow will surely be found – it’s for under 16s only.
Midday will sound sweet with traditional music and there’s storytelling at 12.30pm. All good ways to connect with the Caymanian heritage, which is what made the Islands as they are today.
Great days
The deputy governor and MLAs arrive at 1pm just in time to enjoy a demonstration of thatch plaiting in the company of expert Dona Bryan at 1.15pm.
From 2pm, the North Side Kitchen Band play in their own inimitable style, to soundtrack a great day in progress. At 2.45 check out the cuties at the baby show before children’s activities get under way at 3pm.
The arrival of Miss George Town at 3pm is sure to brighten up proceedings and there’s also the George Town parade of costumes and the dance group to enliven the afternoon even more, if that was possible of course. Then, at 4pm get involved in the sweet sound of the steel pan – one of the Caribbean’s signature sounds and one that has taken Cayman by storm during the past 20 years.
The winners of the baby show, design your own shopping bag and design your own T-shirt competitions take place at 4.30, just in time for the arrival of Blackbeard and the Seattle Seafair pirates.
There’s just time to get grooving on down with a DJ from 5.30pm and it all comes to a celebratory head with a great fireworks display from 7.30pm.
The capital of the Cayman Islands is a great place to hook up with mates and learn about what brought us to this point – as well as, of course, snarfing down those delicious treats. Heritage can be delicious.
Source: compasscayman.com