The Valley, Anguilla, March 5, 2013. All roads will lead to Island Harbour as the 6th annual Festival del Mar gets set to take place over Easter weekend, March 30th and 31st, 2013.
Embraced by the entire community of Island Harbour as a vehicle for celebrating their sea-faring heritage, the Festival del Mar is fast emerging as one of the leading festivals in Anguilla’s calendar of events, offering locals and visitors alike the opportunity to savour the flavours of a variety of delicacies from the sea, whilst enjoying an interesting array of activities that take place in, on or around the water.
Over the years, the emphasis on the traditional cuisine of the island has grown, and with more than 30 food stalls lining the roadways and beachfront on Island Harbour, the Festival has now become a food lover’s haven, with only one criterion: all menu items must come from the sea! Lobster, crayfish, conch, whelks, snapper, shellfish and calamari are prepared and plated in a variety of ways, with favourite sides like dumplings, conkies, fried cakes and Johnny cakes to round off the delectable choices.
Another key element of the unique island community festival is the music provided by local string bands and steel pans, adding to the colorful, festive atmosphere as residents, young and old, compete in a series of events over the two-day period, including crab-racing, model boat-racing, sun-fish racing and deep sea fishing. Swimming races are also held, but the highlight, of course, is Anguilla’s national sport, Boatracing. Two races are held over the Festival period, featuring both the B-Class and the A-Class boats. Owing to the success last year of the introduction of an evening performance by regional country singers Pat Ross and Ben Jax of St Kitts and Nevis, the organizing committee has decided to once again present an evening show performance on the final night of the Festival. Among the artistes to be featured this year are leading local female artistes, Roxxy Webster, Keira Hughes and Nadikah Fenton, accompanied by the Mussington’s Band.
Festival del Mar is one of a series of local festivals endorsed by the Anguilla Tourist Board and the Department of Youth and Culture as a vehicle for celebrating our cultural heritage, whilst at the same time offering visitors an opportunity to experience the authenticity of Anguilla’s local traditions. The event is realized through the generous sponsorship of business partners in the community and throughout the island.
ABOUT ISLAND HARBOUR
Located at the eastern tip of Anguilla’s undulating shoreline, the village’s rich history dates back to the early 1600’s when it is said a boat carrying a group of missionaries from Ireland were shipwrecked just off the northern coast. The survivors found refuge on Anguilla, and called it Ireland Harbour. Over the years the spelling was changed to Island Harbour which we know it as today. For centuries, the men of Island Harbour eked out a living from the rich waters of Anguilla which teemed with all varieties of fish, including the famous Anguillian spiny lobster, and its smaller, sweeter cousin, the crayfish. It was from an industry of fishing, boat building and lobster catching that they built their community economy – all whilst honing their boat-racing skills to near perfection.
For further information, or to learn more about Anguilla call the Anguilla Tourist Board at 1 -264-497-2759, or go to www.ivisitanguilla.com
– Press Release
