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The
Cayman
Islands offer much more than gentle splendors
of sun, sand and sea. The unique heritage attractions
include the Cayman Turtle Farm, the world's
only commercial Green Sea Turtle farm and Pedro
St. James Historic Site with its restored 19th
century plantation great house.
Learn Cayman's unique history at our National
Museum. Marvel at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic
Park and gardens. Visit the National Trust and
learn about historic buildings, bird sanctuaries,
wetlands reserves and nature trails on all three
islands. And of course, meet our hospitable
Caymanian people, who will enrich every experience.
From autocross racing to Little League games
and cricket, spectator and competitive sports
welcome visitors year round. Compete in a 10k
or triathlon - or enjoy bicycling, horseback
riding or a game of golf. Shop until you drop
in chic shops, duty free emporiums and art galleries
or just drop into a hammock and soak up our
perpetual Caribbean sun.
As
festive as the Cayman Islands are all year round,
there are lots of events and activities that
bring people together to celebrate for extra
special occasions. This year marks the Cayman
Islands 500th anniversary, with special events
planned all year long. Pirates Week to the Cayman
Islands Festival of the Arts are some of the
other festivals the Cayman Islands has for you
to enjoy. Click the links below to find activity
schedules and information for booking tickets.
Cayman
Jazz Fest
Bebe Winans, Eddie Levert, Charanga Habanera,
Freddie Jackson, Roberta Flack, David Sanborn,
Robert James...these are a few of the stars
featured for this spectacular summer event as
well as local bands Intransit and Notch &
Club Dread Int.! Click the link above to find
out more about what happened at the 2004 Cayman
Jazz Fest.
Cayman
Festivals and Arts
With diverse activities celebrating and showcasing
the arts and culture of the Cayman Islands,
Cayfest has something to appeal to everyone
in the family.
Beginning
with a traditional boat launch at the "Seaside"
extravaganza, the festival offers open-air and
indoor events on both Grand Cayman and Cayman
Brac, featuring local bands, drama and dance
productions, arts and craft, native dishes,
and other demonstrations of local talent, such
as photo, culinary and song competitions and
an art exhibition.
For
more information about Cayfest, please contact
Anthony Ramoon, Cayfest Coordinator or Sonia
Bodden Kimball, Manager - Special Projects.
Call (345) 949-5477 or write: Cayman
National Cultural Foundation, Harquail Theatre,
P.O. Box 30201 SMB, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.
Pirates
Week
The
Annual Pirates Week Festival was designed to
share part of our history with both visitors
and locals. Features include; music, street
dances, costumes, games, food and drink, "pirate
invasion", Kids Day, glittering parade,
sports events, Heritage Days, fireworks! It's
10 fun-filled, festive days in the sun with
something for everyone, and a lot of it FREE!
First
it's fireworks, followed by a local song contest
and then, almost every day for 10 days, Caribbean
rhythms pulsate in open-air street dances until
the wee hours of the morning. An authentic slice
of the native Caribbean!
A
mock "pirate invasion" from the sea!
Two old-time sailing vessels, loaded with "pirates"
make a Saturday surprise landing at the bowl-shaped
George Town harbour, as thousands line the streets
to take part in the spectacle or just watch.
It's good-natured fun, there's a new twist every
year, and families just love it. It's the only
event of its kind in the Caribbean region.
For
more information on Pirates Week visit - www.piratesweekfestival.com
Cayman
Carnival - Batabano
Batabano
was launched by the Rotary
Club in 1984 and is undoubtedly one of the
main highlights of Cayman's entertainment calendar.
The event is an annual affair and is usually
held after Ash Wednesday.
The
heart and soul of Batabano is the Mas' (Masquerading)
Bands who get the opportunity to express creativity,
imagination and talent, sometimes through the
interpretation of a social issue. While many
of the costumes have been traditionally inspired
by Cayman's magnificent marine environment with
interpretations ranging from the regal mantra
rays to the anemones, designers have begun to
utilize their costumes to comment on social
issues both locally and worldwide.
Thousands
of locals and visitors flock into the streets
every year to celebrate Batabano. Steel pans
provide the rhythms, and costumes created from
a plethora of textures and colors fill the streets.
The energy is electrifying. Communities and
districts join together to create the floats
and Mas' bands to compete for prizes. Design
and choreography become more elaborate each
year. It is a time to celebrate your surroundings,
to display creativity, to voice social issues
and of course, to party and unite.
Visit
www.caymancarnival.com
for in-depth information on Cayman Carnival
- Batabano.
Links
& Sources:
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