Cool days in Antigua you might ask? Well if you consider fast competitive sailing around the Caribbean Sea followed by beach parties with live music cool, then yes. As for long hot nights, that doesn’t take so much explaining when you realise that every night for a week there will be a sailing week party, and everyone is invited.
This year Antigua Sailing Week are inviting everyone to ‘Come and Discover the other side of Sailing Week’. What does that mean? Antigua Sailing Week Chariman Neil Forrester says ‘In the past few years the focus has been mainly on the sailing while the parties have played a lesser part in the overall organization. This year we have changed that around and a landside planning committee has been put in place and is busy co-ordinating a full program of parties throughout the entire week and working with industry professionals and venue owners and managers to deliver a packed and exciting schedule.
The schedule speaks for itself but one of the organisers Paddy Prendergast says ‘ We wanted to show the visitors the best that Antigua has to offer, and with the line up we have for the week, we think we will achieve this. Claudette Peters & Taxik, Tian Winter, Burning Flames, Tizzy & Ela A Kru, Itchy Feet and Spirited are all lined up to play at the different events throughout the week.’.
The week certainly is looking busy starting with the Welcome to Antigua Party in Nelson’s Dockyard on Saturday 24th April where in partnership with Department of Culture visitors will be treated to a taste of Antigua's cultural heritage with steel pan, the National Youth Choir and dancers before former West Indies Captain Richie Richardson and band mate Curtley Ambrose and their band Spirited welcome the sailors and put them in the party mood.
Sunday sees the race end venue return to Dickenson Bay for the traditional Beach Bash, with live music, DJ’s, and great food from the local vendors keeping things going until late into the night. The next day Monday the races move south and Jolly Harbour will play the party hosts for the dock lime.
New to the schedule on Tuesday evening is ‘The English Harbour Rum Street Party’ and the Official Launch of Antigua Carnival 2010. The night promises to be enormous with a superb band line up plus some surprises for the crowd, and is Antigua’s opportunity to showcase Carnival to over 2000 visitors.
Another return of an old favourite on Wednesday sees the reintroduction of Lay Day at the Antigua Yacht Club and Marina, it promises to be six hours of fun and excitement, not all of it dry it would seem, and a planned early finish that night before the last two days of competitive sailing.
On Thursday evening the place to be will be Shirley Heights Lookout for the Sunset Party. Top of the bill is non other than Third World, the internationally renown reggae band and a large crowd is expected. This will certainly be an evening not to miss.
Friday concludes the racing and the grand finale will be held that evening with the Prize Giving Ceremony back in Nelson’s Dockyard. The efforts of the victorious will be celebrated in the traditional style and flair with the Governor General presenting the silverware to the winning boats.
The week winds down with everyone invited out to the Nelson's Dockyard for a day of family fun at Dockyard Day on Saturday 1st May with the final flags being dropped after the Beating of the Retreat by the Royal Antigua and Barbuda Police Force.
The Antigua Sailing Week Committee would like to thank all the businesses that have come out in support of this years endeavour and have become partners in Sailing Week. It is clear from this support that they are excited about what is happening and willing to invest their precious time and money in making this year’s sailing week a great and memorable one.
Discover the other side of sailing week…..Come Party with Us.
