Grenada excited for Spicemas

Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

#Grenada, July 27, 2023 – Grenada is all fired up as they get ready for their annual Spicemas celebrations, making tourism officials react with excitement.

Spicemas is known to attract many visitors as well as returning nationals to the island.

The celebration is even more anticipated now more than ever as this year marks the second time since its return last year after a two year hiatus due to COVID-19.

In fact, the anticipation and excitement is so high that this year’s celebration started early with a Spicemas launch event in Brooklyn, New York in May, giving attendees  a taste of Grenada’s culture, which was the aim as expressed by Petra Roach, CEO of the Grenada Tourism Authority.

She said, “We wanted to give New Yorkers a taste of what they can expect come August in Grenada.”

As expected, the early celebration was a success as highlighted by Roach who said, “It is by far the best expression of carnival and this year’s will be unforgettable.”

This year, carnival will include brand new complements and concepts that are different from those of previous years. Many events will be happening across the island leading up to Carnival Monday and Tuesday.

Events include:

• August 5: Children’s Carnival Frolic
• August 6: Majestic Sunday – National Carnival Queen Pageant
• August 10: Calypso Finals
• August 11: Bacchanal Friday –Groovy & Soca Monarch
• August 12: Panorama
• August 14: J’ouvert/Pageant/Monday Night Mas
• August 15: Parade of Bands/Last Lap

With the expected rise in visitors, JetBlue and Caribbean Airlines  expanded service to Grenada. JetBlue offers daily nonstop service from New York’s John F. Kennedy (JFK) airport and  will operate a second daily nonstop flight from August 7 to September 1, departing at 9:50 pm and arriving at the Maurice Bishop International Airport (GND) in Grenada at 2:47 am.

Additionally, Caribbean Airlines, has added flights from the US and Canada.  Spicemas runs  August 1st to the 15th.