BARBADOS UNVEILS 2010 FESTIVALS & EVENTS CALENDAR

(Bridgetown, Barbados), October 14, 2009 – Barbados is gearing up for another action-packed year with the unveiling of its 2010 Calendar of Festivals & Events.  With lively music, performing arts and film festivals, as well as exciting surfing, polo, cricket, domino, golf and horse racing tournaments throughout the year, there has never been a better reason to visit Barbados.  www.visitbarbados.org:

Hike Barbados – Starting in January, every Sunday through December

Guests experience the natural beauty of Barbados by hiking through the very middle of its cane fields, gullies, tropical forests and coastal communities. Hikes are scheduled weekly and depart each Sunday morning and afternoon from different locations on the island, lasting three hours in duration.  Morning hikes, departing at 6am, vary in intensity based on hikers’ experience levels and taste, starting with the two mile long “Grin and Bear”, the six mile long “Stop and Stare” and nine mile long “Medium” and “Fast Medium” treks.  Afternoon hikes start at 3:30 p.m. and Moonlight Hikes begin at 5:30 p.m. and both follow the “Stop and Stare” route. Hike Barbados is a free activity, but gladly accepts donations to help the Barbados National Trust preserve the built and natural environment.         

Barbados Jazz Festival –January 11-17

Bringing some of the best local, national and international jazz performers to the stage, this annual event is popular with jazz aficionados and attracts music fans from all over the world. Concerts take place at various venues across the island. 

Open House Program – Starting in January, every Wednesday through March

Sponsored by the Barbados National Trust, this program provides entry into rich historic homes that reveal a range of lifestyles, architecture and historical features, giving locals and island visitors the opportunity to visit private properties that usually remain closed to the general public.

Slam-a-Dom Extravaganza – January 21, 23, 24

Slam-a-Dom is the annual international tournament, created by competition domino players to promote the sport.  The sport of dominos is not only a favorite pastime of Barbadians, but one that they excel at and have even claimed the World Champion title.  The competition is played in both four-hand and three-hand formats and winners are rewarded with monetary prizes. 

Barbados Horticultural Society Annual Flower Show – January 30-31

Held at the Ball Plantation in Christ Church, this popular two-day show offers visitors the opportunity to see an incredible range of flower displays and show gardens.  Barbados has won 12 gold medals in the Queen’s Gold Medal at the famous Chelsea Flower Show in London and continues as a leader in international floral competitions.  The Annual Flower and Garden Show, which is organized by the Barbados Horticultural Society, includes live musical performances, trade stalls and numerous food and drink stalls.

Waterman Festival – February 6-7

The Waterman Festival lasts for three weekends and celebrates surfing, windsurfing and kite surfing with an exciting series of competitive events. Activities take place all over the island with most events composed of invited professionals, but amateurs and touring professionals also have the opportunity to participate. Hot social events are the surfer buffet and the sunset "deAction Beach Party" at Brian Talma's ‘Irie Man Action Shop’ in Silver Rock.

Holetown Festival – February 14-21

The week-long celebrations of the Holetown Festival kick-off with a bang at the Holetown Monument in the centre of the town. The event marks the arrival of the first settlers at the site now known as Holetown on February 17, 1627. The festival provides visitors with an introduction to Barbadian culture and traditions through a varied program that includes concerts, live music, street parades, beauty pageants, craft fairs, historical exhibitions, sporting competitions and food and drink events.

Sandy Lane Gold Cup – March 6

From its humble beginning in 1982 the Barbados Gold Cup, sponsored for the first fifteen years by Cockspur Rum and since 1997 by Sandy Lane Hotel, has grown to be the most prestigious and significant horse racing event in the Caribbean.

Holders Season – March 6-27

Barbados’ exciting season of opera, classical, jazz, Latin and Caribbean music which takes place in the open air gardens of historic Holders Plantation House, owned by Wendy Kidd. The 2010 line up includes professionals from across the globe comprising a world-class program of artistes. 

Barbados Polo Open – March 14-21

These two tournaments, which are jointly sponsored by the Barbados Tourism Authority (BTA) and Columbian Emeralds, in association with Simpson Motors, Mount Gay Rum, Raffles Resort, Terra Caribbean Ltd, Barbados National Bank, Ocean 2 and Courtesy Garage, feature some of the top names in international polo over the course of these four-match series.

Barbados Game Fishing Association International Tournament – March 27-30      

Anglers from Eur
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