Montserrat Celebrates the 20th Anniversary of Cudjoe Head Festival – Emerald Isle of the Caribbean commemorates African heritage July 30 -August 1

Montserrat, West Indies – July, 2009 -The island of Montserrat comes alive with traditional fan fare during its annual celebration of Cudjoe Head Festival. Now in its 20th year, the two-day event, held July 30 – August 1, 2009, invites residents and visitors to join in the festivities as the destination celebrates its strong 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.

Cudjoe Head celebrations began in 1989 with activities that included a small group serenading the village at 5 a.m. followed by breakfast in the center of the village. Music can be heard throughout the day and into the evening with live entertainment provided by a local band. A dance competition between the girls in the village serves as the finale for the day’s festivities.

Marking the event’s 20th anniversary, organizers have added a crab race and a 20/20 soca shoot out, a competition that tests the musical styling of the island’s disc jockeys with the winner selected by the listening audience. Steel band performances, a road race and an exhibition of goods produced by the village are also a part of the two-day event.

The night before the festival, Cudjoe Head Eve, is widely regarded as a time of revelry and fun with a street jam/block party that includes live music and vendors. Activities on Cudjoe Head Day includes a five mile bike and road race as well as a cultural extravaganza showcasing masqueraders, string band, iron band, steel pan, local performers and dance competitions.

For further information on Cudjoe Head festival contact Paul Lewis at lewisp@gov.ms or call (664) 492-1611.
Montserrat, the only country outside of Ireland to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day as a national holiday, is a lush green and mountainous island of approximately 39 square miles that lies in the Eastern Caribbean chain of islands.

Known fondly as the Emerald Isle of the Caribbean, this pear shaped island is a traveler’s paradise for nature lovers, divers, adventurers, family and villa vacationers, and honeymooners. This British overseas territory boasts the spectacular SoufriГЁre Hills Volcano, a modern day Pompeii in the form of its buried former capital city Plymouth, alongside lush, green mountains, world class nature trails, deserted dark sand beaches, untouched reefs and a quiet friendly charm reminiscent of the way the Caribbean used to be.

For more information on Montserrat and its breathtaking scenery and unspoiled, unpolluted coral and volcanic vistas, visit www.visitmontserrat.com

July 7, 2009   Posted in: Caribbean