Carnival Checklist: Seven Things You Must Do at Anguilla Summer Festival

Words by Ravi Lloyd—

It’s August Monday today in Anguilla, which means Anguilla Summer Festival—the Leeward island’s annual carnival—is getting into full swing. On the occasion that you’re heading down there, or already find yourself in Anguilla, we had our Anguillan contributor Ravi Lloyd provide some tips on how best to enjoy yourself during the celebrations.

When carnival hits in Anguilla, the island’s population drastically grows, a big deal for a place with just about 15,000 residents. With a large international crowds arriving and Anguillans living abroad returning home, carnival is about people coming together to celebrate Anguilla’s cultural heritage. You can get a taste of Anguilla in each of these events, from sailboat racing (read more about that here) to the Miss Anguilla Beauty Pageant to the calypso competitions and road march.

1. J’Ouvert

August Monday is a day of liberation, and has been since the 1967 revolution (in which Anguilla severed its ties with St. Kitts). Starting on Sunday night, people will be in The Valley, Anguilla’s capital, waiting for the trucks to start up and the soca bands to play. Rum is for breakfast, as everyone prepares to play mas and jam over to Sandy Ground, Anguilla’s main port. By lunch time, the party hits the beach, where BBQ stands will be lined up serving ribs and chicken. If you take some time to walk around, you can find shark, lobster or goat stew—and then you have found Anguillan specialties.

2. August Monday Boat Race

Today you will have to get into the water and follow the boat race at Sandy Ground, which typically includes 15 boats representing the island’s villages. Hundreds more boats will be in the water, filled with locals debating about who will win. The banter you will hear will be endless, and classically Anguillan. No matter what, an Anguillan will defend his boat. It’s a long race, so bring a hat and something to drink.

Guaranteed, the party back on the beach is the biggest of the year in Anguilla. You will see people in the water and on the beach all afternoon, and the fete goes all night, with live music on the beach. The best place to be for these times will either be in your own yacht in the bay, or over by Pump House or Johnno’s Bar, where all the action will be.

3. Anguilla Calypso Monarch

2012 Anguilla Calypso Queen Fedalia “Shea Shea” Richardson. Photo: Larry Stott/The Anguillan

The first night of two big nights of calypso during Anguilla Summer Festival is dedicated to crowning the King or Queen calypsonian of Anguilla. This event, held at Landsome Bowl, Anguilla Cultural Center in The Valley, takes place on Wednesday, Aug. 7, this year. If you want to hear about what is really going on in Anguilla this is an experience to have. From listening to the performers to hearing what people have to say you can get a recap of the current events and political affairs. In and outside of the village will be active with some of the finest Anguillan dishes like goat water, wilk soup, conch soup and roti.

4. August Thursday

Photo: Bonnie Fleming

August Thursday is the second big day for Anguillan boat racing. This race is held at Meads Bay, on the west end of the island. If you have made prior arrangements, one can follow the race, or stay on the beach and enjoy the music and the people. If you’re looking for shade, Malliouhana, which is actually one of Anguilla’s oldest hotels and the indigenous name for Anguilla, is always the spot. Look for the big tamarind tree out in front. The music will be on loud and the beach lined with bbq grills, and Heineken tents.

5. Miss Anguilla Queens Pageant

Photo: Facebook.com/AnguillaSummerFestival

August Thursday continues with the Miss Anguilla Beauty Pageant at Landsome Bowl in the Valley. From the time you turn off The Valley Road the streets will be lined with cars until you reach The Village so be sure to get there in time for this prestigious competition between some the most talented and beautiful women in Anguilla. The seeds of this pageant began when Anguilla was connected to St. Kitts and Nevis as the Statehood Queen Show, but the pageant took on its current form after the 1967 revolution, and has been celebrated since the first carnival.

6. Grand Parade of Troupes

Photo: Bonnie Fleming

The beauty of Anguilla’s people shines the brightest when we celebrate the beauty of community, resilience and statehood the Friday of carnival. Troops of people playing mas will be fitted with jewels, feathers and colors to fill your peripherals, while soca bands keep the pace, playing for the people on semi trucks. The Grand Parade of Troupes is not defined by where you are from on the island and each group is a mix. Everyone is invited to participate and, on this day, you will see everyone in Anguilla, from young to old. The party ends up back in Landsome Bowl, also known as The Village, and the jam will continue all night.

7. Leeward Islands Calypso Monarch

Calypso Monarch King Konris of St. Kitts

This calypso monarch competition, now in its 17th year, is an international event bringing together the best calypso talent from across the Leeward Islands; St. Kitts and Nevis, Antigua, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, St. Croix, Tortola, Montserrat and Anguilla. Only the reigning calypso titleholders from each of these islands are eligible to participate in the competition.

This event is interactive because people from across the Leeward Islands will be present in the crowd and, if you know calypso music, everyone has their opinion. As a listener, you will hear about politics and current events throughout the Leeward Islands, giving you a great sense of the essence being in the region. This year’s event will be held on Aug. 10, the penultimate day of festival.