Discover Dominica in 2010

Dominica’s events calendar has been announced for 2010, with a variety of festivals taking place celebrating the island’s culture and heritage as well as the natural attractions and activities it offers for visitors.

Below is a summary of the main events in 2010 – further information and listings will be available on discoverdominica.com as each event draws closer.

Carnival
15th – 16th February 2010
Carnival season is unquestionably one of the most festive times in Dominica. Known as ‘The Real Mas’ or ‘Mas Domnik’, the event culminates over a Monday and Tuesday in mid-February. During this time, the people of Dominica showcase their folklore and traditions through song, dance, drama, poetry and music. Activities during this period include the Calypso Monarch competition, Carnival Queen Show pageant, the Junior Calypso Monarch competition, Carnival Street Jump Up and a National Carnival Costume Street Parade. The Sensay costume will be widely worn during this final event. West African in origin, the Sensay is made of frayed rope, leaves and other materials, accompanied by a mask and often horns.

Hike Fest
May 2010
May 2010 is officially known as Tourism month in Dominica. Among the many tourism awareness activities which will be held that month, Dominica will host its third annual Hike Fest over a period of one week. The island is a haven for hikers, offering trails ranging from the sedate to the challenging and this event allows visitors to explore some of Dominica’s lush landscapes. A series of scheduled hikes will be on offer so that walkers can enjoy the trails accompanied by locals and guides, knowledgeable about the flora, fauna, history and points of interest along each route.

Dive Fest
9th – 18th July 2010
Scuba diving, snorkelling and other water-based activities form the basis of Dive Fest, the Caribbean’s longest running dive festival which marks its 17th year in 2010. Dive Fest gives absolute beginners the chance to try scuba diving or snorkelling for the first time – often completely free of charge. For experienced divers, events include an underwater treasure hunt and underwater photography competitions, with equipment provided by event sponsors. Whale watching excursions, beach barbecues and the popular Carib canoe race are amongst the other activities that take place during the festival.

Independence celebrations
24th October – 3rd November 2010
Dominica received its independence from Britain on 3rd November 1978 and the country commemorates this with a series of cultural activities and events. Next year, 24th October is Heritage Day, where a local village is recognised and awarded for their uniqueness. Each year, a different village is chosen to highlight its individual, community and institutional achievements. Creole in the Park runs from 25th – 28th October 2010 at the Botanical Gardens in Roseau. This day-time festival features performances from local, regional and international artists, blending traditional Creole steel pan drum music with the mouth-watering aromas of local cuisine. 29th October is Creole Day, where most Dominicans will wear some variation of the national dress, the Wob Dwiyet. Local schoolchildren participate in a parade through the capital, Roseau, to showcase the different styles of dress.

Independence Day is celebrated on 3rd November itself, with a series of cultural events, parties, folklore, music and dancing. During this time, citizens and friends of Dominica unite to reflect on the progress and development that has taken place on the island over the years and reaffirm their commitment to contributing to a positive future for ‘The Nature Island’

The World Creole Music Festival
29th – 31st October 2010
Taking place during the Independence Celebrations, the World Creole Music Festival will see beats and rhythms fill the Windsor Park Stadium until dawn, with live music acts from the Caribbean and beyond drawing in the crowds. Over the years, the festival has attracted some of the most renowned groups and solo artists from the Creole-speaking world, with recent headliners including Maxi Priest, Sean Paul, Wyclef Jean, Morgan Heritage and Shaggy.

For further information on all of these events, see discoverdominica.com.