Recommend December 2013 - (Page 48)

Parade of Troupes. Events & Festivals Virtually all the events in Anguilla have a quality that's sometimes elusive in our modern, commercialized world: They are authentic rather than staged to attract tourists-yet at the same time, the Anguillans are genuinely happy to share these celebrations with visitors. Following are some highlights of the calendar year; for events that don't have their own website, visit ivisitanguilla.com/on-island-festivals-and-events. February ANNUAL FLOWER AND GARDEN SHOW February 22-23 Two days of ﬂower displays and competitions including both skilled amateurs and professional ﬂorists on the grounds of Wallblake House. Arts and crafts for sale, too. ANNUAL FASHION EXPO February 28-March 2 Get up to speed with the emerging fashion trends; three days of essential classes in the model and fashion industry by world-renowned regional and international members of the fashion trade. March ANNUAL MOONSPLASH FESTIVAL March 13-16 Reggae star Bankie Banx produces this music festival at The Dune Preserve on Rendezvous Bay, and he has the respect and pull to lure an international roster of A-List recording artists. April FESTIVAL DEL MAR April 19-20 (Easter weekend) A traditional, community-based, 2-day festival featuring all things from the sea. Held on the beach at Island Harbour, activities include ﬁshing tournaments, sunﬁsh sailing, model boat racing, swimming, crabracing, and the highlight of the proceedings: boatracing, the island's national sport. Live string band music and delicious seafood delicacies create the backdrop for locals and visitors alike to come together and celebrate Anguilla's maritime heritage. May ANGUILLA YACHT REGATTA May 9-11 Yachts from all over the Caribbean compete against a background of BBQ stands, ice cold libations, and music and partying at bars across Sandy Ground Beach. Anguillian sailing fans, aka "landracers," keep the momentum high and guarantee a regatta like nowhere else in the Caribbean. ANGUILLA LIT FEST: A LITERARY JOLLIFICATION May 22-25 Join readers, writers, and thinkers for three days of workshops, seminars and presentations by celebrated authors, publishers and poets from Anguilla, the Caribbean, and beyond. Past headliners have included Terry McMillan, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Hill Harper, Nikki Giovanni, Judith Curr, Edwidge Dandicat, Toure and more. Readings, receptions, and onstage interviews with audience participation, against the backdrop of Anguilla's tranquil seascapes. ANGUILLA DAY May 30 A national holiday that pays tribute to the May 30, 1967, uprising that eventually led to Anguilla's status as an overseas territory of the United Kingdom rather than St. Kitts-Nevis, the celebration includes a Roundthe-Island Boat Race that leaves from Sandy Ground around 9 a.m. Complementing the race are tennis matches, bicycle races, bands, BBQ, and general good times. June WELCHES FEST June 9 Welches Fest takes place on the ballﬁeld in Welches Village. Starting around 5:30 a.m., visitors can have an old fashioned breakfast of ﬂour pap (porridge) to start their day. All things at this fest are of yesteryear including food, toys, games and music. (5:30 a.m.- 8 p.m.) CELEBRATION OF THE BIRTHDAY OF HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN June 17 Pomp and pageantry from a bygone era, as the Royal Anguilla Police Force and various local and international uniformed organizations march smartly to crisp band music around James Ronald Webster Park. August ANGUILLA SUMMER FESTIVAL August 4-11 A unique blend of boatracing activities by day and traditional carnival events by night: Nonstop fun, including carnival processions, pageants, A22 edu.recommend.com/anguilla 22-23 FestivalFF.indd 22 11/21/13 2:17 PM http://www.ivisitanguilla.com/on-island-festivals-and-events http://edu.recommend.com/anguilla

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend December 2013

Editor's Notes
Hotel Desk: Canyon Ranch
Tour Talk: Insight Vacations
17th Annual Recommend Readers' Choice Awards Winners
Cruising 2013
Discovering North America
Caribbean Trends
Anguilla Travel Agent Specialist Program
Asia & The South Pacific in the Rearview Mirror
Mexico 2013
Latin America in 2013 and Beyond
Africa + The Middle East Continue to Make Stides
Nostalgic for Europe

Recommend December 2013