Barbados' Prime Minister,
Hon. Freundel Stuart, addresses guests.
The Dance Caribe Performing Company
Hon. Freundel Stuart, Prime Minister of Barbados; Cheryl Carter, Senior Business Development Manager, Barbados Tourism Authority; and His Excellency E. Evelyn Greaves, High Commissioner of Barbados to Canada
His Excellency E. Evelyn Greaves, High Commissioner of Barbados to Canada and Hon. Freundel Stuart, Prime Minister of Barbados, pose with the Barbados Tourism Authority team.
CTC Travel & Tours' Cheryl Fitzpatrick and Michael Alan
After attending my 1st Barbados Charity Ball on Saturday night, I can attest to the fact that Barbadians sure know how to party. Decked out in my finery, I arrived at the Toronto Congress Centre eager to join the Caribbean beat pulsing from the building. I was greeted by volunteers dressed in Caribana-esque style, women glimmered in tropical coloured evening gowns and the men looked dapper in bright bowties and cummerbunds. I felt a little too "Toronto" in just a plain black dress.
Almost 700 people attended the 9th annual fundraiser (a record breaking number) in support of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Barbados as well as scholarships for local Barbadian students. Special guests, Dr. Leroy McClean, Consul General of Barbados in Toronto; His Excellency E. Evelyn Greaves, High Commissioner of Barbados to Canada and The Honourable Freundel Stuart, Prime Minister of Barbados, were also in attendance.
Dancers from the Dance Caribe Performing Company put on a lively show before dinner. Afterward, guests hit the dance floor to burn off the 4 course meal and partied the night away to Soca music and other Caribbean beats. Of course, a gala is not complete without a silent and live auction and there were great prizes up for grabs including artwork, electric guitars, signed sports jerseys and several trips to Barbados.
The theme of this year’s gala was “Feel the Spirit of Crop Over,” which is a folk festival dating back to the 1780s, marking the end of Barbados’ sugar cane harvest. Since the sugar industry has declined and tourism now drives the country’s economy, Crop Over has transformed into a summer long festivity celebrating Barbadian culture and music, drawing thousands of international visitors each year.
“You have to come to Barbados and experience Crop Over,” said Cheryl Carter, Senior Business Development Manager of the Barbados Tourism Authority. “You don’t need an all-inclusive. Food is inexpensive and it is safe to travel outside of the resort and go anywhere on the island.” According to Carter, Canada is one of the country’s largest tourism markets and Canadians account for the destination’s most repeat visitors.
The official opening of Crop Over is June 30th, however festivities already started in April and will run until August 6th. To learn more about what Bajans consider The Sweetest Summer Festival, visit www.barbadoscropoverfestival.com.
