Montserrat Carnival: A Celebration of Life and Culture

Brades, Montserrat – October 30, 2009 – Paying tribute to the destination’s culture, talent and creativity, the unique island of Montserrat will celebrate its annual carnival, known as Festival, from December 4, 2009 – January 1, 2010. The destination comes alive with music, revelry and a variety of events that highlight the resilient and exuberant people of Montserrat.

“Our carnival is the highlight event of the year as it embodies all the elements of our neighboring islands’ traditional festivities but with its own unique flair,” said Ernestine Cassell, director of tourism.

“With the wide selection of activities and events, there is something for everyone to enjoy and we encourage visitors to come to the island and experience Montserrat’s rich heritage and vibrant culture.”

This year’s key events include: Soca Monarch, a concert featuring the island’s talented soca artists, on December 19; “Nite of Pan,” where the musical styling of local musicians can be heard on the steel pan, on December 23; Street Jam, a lively street celebration filled with music, food and “good island vibes,” on December 26; Festival Queen Pageant on December 27 and calypso finals, a musical showcase highlighting the island’s top entertainers, on December 30. The festival culminates with the New Year’s Day parade of troupes, vibrantly costumed revelers that perform traditional songs and dances.
For more detailed information on Festival events visit the Montserrat Tourist Board website at www.visitmontserrat.com

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

October 30, 2009   Posted in: Caribbean