At this point, Caribbean carnivals are major events within the diaspora. From New York City to the Caribbean to Germany, Caribbean culture permeates people’s souls and takes to the streets.
One of the most popular iterations of Carnival is Barbados’ Crop Over Festival, which was popular in its own right, but became popular with the help of everyone’s favorite bad girl, Rihanna. The new mom, whose attendance always results in beautiful photos landing everywhere from body goal look-up boards to her new phone wallpaper, has brought a lot of attention to the party.
After taking a much needed break due to COVID in 2020 and 2021, Crop Over is back! It is truly a unique experience and one that everyone should have at least once in their life.
But what exactly is Crop Over?
Crop Over shares many similarities with the Carnival of Caribana and Trinidad and Tobago, but the celebration is much more than the street march it is primarily known for.
Dating back to the 17th century, Barbados has been known for its sugar production, but the country comes alive at the end of the harvest season. Unlike other carnival celebrations, Crop Over is commemorated for eight weeks from June to August, featuring various events ranging from visual arts and crafts exhibitions, tents and calypso competitions, and countless parties.
The festival culminates in the colorful Cadooment Day parade, where locals and visitors alike take to the streets to party in beautifully decorated costumes, large feathers and all the rum and soda you could ask for!
While attending all the festivities sounds like a fantastic time, we know why you’re here; you want a breakdown of the holidays and events leading up to Kadooment Day. We’ve got you covered! Here’s a guide to the Crop Over celebrations you should attend to live your best Kadooment-Bae life:
Spin Pooch with Spinny and Friends
This event promises to make you sweat as you spend time with Spinny, Wukup Island’s premiere Artist, Entertainer and Fitness Guru. Make sure you come in your workout clothes, drink LOTS of water, and be ready to get mean while following Spinny’s cultural cardio dance moves.
Elevated
Lifted is a party to set the tone for the rest of your weekend. The party was on a beach this year, and we hope they keep it up for years to come!
Mimosa Premium Breakfast Party
This ultra-premium, all-inclusive breakfast party starts around 7am, so be sure to take a break or continue. Mimosa, like most of the events on this list, is inclusive. There’s a dining area and multiple bars dedicated to your spirit of choice, but at Mimosa, champagne reigns supreme.
Pre-Morning Feast
I’ve been to J’ouvert in Brooklyn many times when I was younger, but this Foreday Experience is a whole different ball game. Like other J’ouverts, Native starts around midnight. But here’s the kicker, it takes place in a park, so it’s a lot more controlled and… oh yeah, it’s immersive too. While you march, sing, raise your waist and throw paint (provided inside the park), there are bar trucks never too far away for you to refill your bottle (secured in a goody bag before the event). My whole life changed.
Bliss All-Inclusive Party
Happiness is like nothing I’ve experienced before. Okay, yes, like other parties, it’s non-stop and has all-inclusive food and drinks, but what sets Bliss apart from the rest is the activations within the party. The event hosts separate booths offering men’s grooming, women’s grooming, a glitzy bar and a make-up station. Yes. You can do your hair and makeup while you’re at the party and end up adding some gems to complete the look.
Lost in paradise
Finish your Sunday crop at Lost in Paradise, the brainchild of Rihanna’s brother, Rorrey Fenty and Jus Jay King. All the events are beautifully branded, but Lost In Paradise is an experience in itself. You’ll feel like you’ve been teleported into a mystical forest.
The Day of the Great Abandonment
This is the moment you’ve been waiting for! You may have to get up at the crack of dawn to get to your makeup appointment, but it will be totally worth it. This is the road march!
There are many sets to choose from, but I recommend Aura, another creation by Rorrey Fenty. The hospitality and beautiful costumes are honestly enough to leave home.
As local Barbados superstar Lil Rick says, “Crop Over is a blessing, not a curse! It’s the best sound in the world!” Visit Barbados soon or start planning for Crop Over 2023 to see for yourself!
