A little History Lesson
But before we start, let’s give you a little history about the festival.
The Crop Over Festival dates back to the plantation era and was a big extravagant celebration organized on the plantations to mark the end of the harvest. During the 1940s, the celebrations dwindled after the Second World War, when the demand for sugar decreased and many plantations around the island closed. An effort was made to revive the celebrations in the 60’s but it wasn’t until the 70’s and 80s that a full revival was made and what we know as Crop Over was birthed.
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Today, the festival is one of the most diverse in the world as it is a mixture of heritage, creative arts, parties, music and masquerade. Many refer to the festival as Barbados’ carnival because it has many elements similar to a typical carnival. However, Crop Over is more than just that, it’s a celebration of life, heritage and Barbadian culture. 
What Can You Expect?
The short answer is endless vibes.
Though the festivities begin as early as May, the festival officially starts on July 1st and climaxes with Grand Kadooment on August 7th.
During this time, the island comes alive with various types of parties, concerts, limes, heritage events and so much more. There are festivities for everyone to enjoy as the options feel endless. The rule is to attend every type of party to get the full Crop Over experience.
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So, here’s what should be on your list:
Cooler Cruise – If you don’t go to a cooler cruise then you did not attend Crop Over as the choices are endless.Some to look out for are Oh Ship Cruise, Nudes Tanlines and Escape Cooler Cruise to name a few.
Beach Party – We recommend Lifted Beach or Escape Beach.
All-Inclusive Event – Barbados is the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean so you definitely can attend a fete that is inclusive of the finest cuisine. At Mimosa Breakfast Party or Bliss, you can party, taste the most scrumptious food with the backdrop of the island’s most scenic venues. If you just prefer a premium drinks-inclusive party, then Lost in Paradise is for you.
Live Performance – Great music is what makes the festival special, so if you love a concert featuring the best regional and local entertainers then Dis is Rick, Soca 4.0, Tipsy Music Festival or Rise Barbados should be on your list. You can also attend the Pic-O-De Crop Finals which is a mixture of music and social commentary.
Bridgetown Market – The festival is also about supporting locals and immersing yourself in Barbadian culture, so a trip to Bridgetown Market is a great way to do this. It is considered the biggest street fair of the festival as the Mighty Grynner Highway is lined with various craft stalls, Caribbean/Barbadian musical rhythms and characters, delicious cuisines and street food.
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Heritage/Cultural Event – There’s no Crop Over without culture so of course you must attend events like the Ceremonial Delivery of the Last Canes, Crop Over Folk Concert and Pandemonium.
Junior Kadooment – This one is for the kiddies! Junior Kadooment or ‘Kiddies Kadooment’ is a fun-filled event for young masqueraders to parade in beautifully handmade costumes, dance and enjoy their own version of kadooment.
Some other great events are Vibe Land, Fyah De Wuk, We Ting Bim and HYPD.
You can access the official Crop Over calendar here: https://www.instagram.com/p/CrmWLnNLR-A/
Now, the most anticipated part of the festival is ‘Last Lap’. This is the final week of events and can only be described as pace, pace and more pace. It’s non-stop parties, vibes and no sleep, but it’s an experience like none other.
Furthermore, there is no ‘Last Lap’ without Foreday Morning Jam, which is a ‘Jouvert’. This word derives from jou ouvè which literally means dawn in Creole. Foreday Morning takes place on Crop Over Friday and is held in the wee hours through a guided route in Bridgetown. You dance and parade through the island’s capital behind music trucks, with paint, foam, water and sometimes even chocolate being splashed on you. It may sound a little wild but it truly can be an unforgettable experience.
However, Foreday Morning isn’t the only ‘J’ouvert’ held at this time, festival goers also have the choice of more private parties like Native or Mix Nutz.
Source: https://t-tees.com
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