Rihanna is heading down to Barbados to participate in this year’s Crop Over—a 200-year-old tradition. One of the world’s most famous musicians will be celebrating Bajan culture with all-night parties and events that honor the end of the sugar cane season.
Petra Roach, U.S. Director of Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., says Rihanna’s presence always brings a buzz to the festival.
"It’s become a tradition to look forward to what costume she’ll be wearing on Kadooment Day and what other celebrities she might bring with her,” Roach says.
The Crop Over is a six-week festival, consisting of several cultural and heritage events. These include the nighttime Foreday Morning jump up, and musical competitions which crown Barbados’ Soca Monarch, Junior Calypso Monarch, and Pic-O-De-Crop Monarch.
“In recent years, as the festival continues to grow, we’ve enjoyed an influx of new and trendy events to further complement and diversify our longstanding signature calendar of events, from breakfast parties, to food and drinks inclusive parties, as well as party boat cruises,” Roach says.
At the headline event during Crop Over season, Grand Kadooment Day (August 5), Masquerade Bands head down to Spring Garden highway with partygoers adorned in sequin costumes covered with colorful feathers, jewels and bright accents. Celebrating the end of Crop Over, attendees dance behind music trucks and moving bars. Popular bands from Barbados include Aura Experience (band of Rihanna’s brother), Blue Box Cart, Jambalasse Band & Caesar’s Army.
For more information, visit https://www.visitbarbados.org/crop-over-festival
Related Stories
MMGY: Caribbean Second-Most Sought-After International Destination
Royalton Antigua Opens First Overwater Bungalows on the Caribbean Island
Newly Built Barrier at Desire Riviera Maya Resort Fights Sargassum
Barbados Has its Sights Set on New Hotels, Better Accessibility