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42nd Carriacou Regatta Festival promises to be one with a difference.          

42 years and going strong... The upcoming 42nd anniversary of the “Granddaddy” of all regattas would be showcased from July 29th – August 6th 2007 (the weekend Aug 3rd -6th are the boat racing days). Come celebrate a true traditional workboat festival which features the art of boat building; a tradition handed down by the Scottish and Irish ancestors who lived on the island.

The richness of its tradition and culture, the attitude of its people, the scenic landscape and tropical clear waters are the perfect ingredients for a Caribbean holiday on Carriacou the sister island of Grenada. Participating workboats are expected from the neighboring Grenadines to include Bequia, Canouan, Mayreau, Union Island, Petite Martinique and Grenada. Traditional boats are also coming from Tobago and Antigua for three days of sailing competition. Another main feature of the festival is the Miss Aquaval Queen Show with contestants representing Trinidad, Tobago, Barbados, St. Lucia, Grenada, and St. Vincent and the grenadines.

The Regatta boat racing events focuses mainly on the locally built traditional ‘Workboats’ with over ten different classes ranging from 12 to 42 feet in length.

The 42nd anniversary (1965 – 2007) of the festival would be highlighted by the traditional launching of a 42ft Sloop workboat” Margeto II” on Sunday 8th July. The fishing village of Windward would be bustling with activities and the boatmen would be tapping into their skills in an effort to get the ship a float using manpower, food and “rum”. The blessing by a local reverend, the ceremonial “cutting down” (the action done to allow the sloop to tilt on her haul) and the playing of string band music would add some entertainment to the day’s proceedings. A documentary would be produced along with massive media coverage.

The Regatta festival also showcases Yacht races, a number of onshore sporting and cultural events including donkey race, greasy pole, Big Drum dancing, model boat racing, tug o war, beer drinking competition and more.
This year’s festival is being produced in partnership with the Grenada Board of Tourism, Cable & Wireless, Republic Bank . Supported by the Gov’t of Grenada and sponsored by the Carib Beer, Grenada Ports Authority, LOTTO, NEWIM, Coca Cola, Grenlec, GLENELG,  Ades Dream, SVG Air,  and a number of local businesses and individuals.

For additional information on the festival and places to stay, please visit the following Websites: www.carriacouregatta.com, www.grenadagrenadines.com or www.carriacoupetitemartinique.com  or call telephone numbers (473) 443 7930, (473) 443 7948 or   (473) 443 8900.

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