Soca Staycation events slated for Sept. 4th & 5th in East End

Across the Cayman Islands, entertainment has been returning in various ways that residents have embraced as a necessary part of the country’s phased return to normalcy following the COVID-19 lockdown. Now, they can also enjoy a series of fundraising events hosted by the Batabano Committee.

Dubbed “Bacchanalia”, the series launches with a weekend of fundraising events at The Cottages in East End – a Beach Bonfire called “Catch a Fyah” from 8pm to Midnight on Friday September 4th, and a Beach BBQ called “Sun, Sand and Soca” from 12 Noon on Saturday September 5th.

“The Bacchanalia series of events is one of the many ways Batabano will continue to unite people who love Soca music, the spirit of carnival, and just being outdoors together enjoying the beauty of our islands,” said Batabano Chairperson Donna Myrie-Stephen, adding that proceeds from these non-profit fundraising events will go towards next year’s Batabano carnival events and parade. “The pandemic may have postponed our usual carnival celebrations, but our carnival spirit is alive and well so we’re looking forward to reconnecting with everyone and celebrating life.”

The “Catch A Fyah” Bonfire event follows the popular “Bring Your Own Bottle (BYOB)” cooler fete format (sodas and water will be on sale), with Jerk Chicken by Jerk King Jamion on sale for $10. Music will be by popular local entertainers Sound Revolution, DJ Fross, and guest DJ Doctor B. The Bonfire lights up the night at 8pm and ends at Midnight on the beach at The Cottages. 

For “Sun, Sand, and Soca”, patrons can sink their feet in the sand from 12 Noon on the beach at The Cottages. On the turntables will be DJ Fross, Sound Revolution, and guest DJ’s Doctor B and DJ Lano. BBQ will be will be on sale for $10, as will sodas and water. This is also a “cooler fete” format so “Bring Your Own Bottle (BYOB)”. Tickets will also be on sale for an exciting raffle throughout the day, with the following prizes up for grabs: an Executive Health Check at Health City (valued at CI$699); bottles of champagne; an Annual Powerhouse Gym Membership (valued at CI$550); an exclusive private shopping Experience at Le Classique (valued at CI$500); plus more. Also on sale will be limited edition Batabano signature T-shirts and Tank Tops.

Tickets for “Catch a Fyah” and the “Sun, Sand, and Soca” are just $25 each and are now available for purchase online at EventPro. Tickets are limited for each event per regulations for public gatherings, and no tickets will be available at the gate. Ticket-holders are encouraged to make it a staycation weekend in beautiful East End. Rooms at The Cottages are already sold out but rooms are still available at The Morritts which is a stone’s throw away and are offering great weekend staycation rates.

These non-profit fundraising events are being made possible thanks to the support of the following sponsors: GEL Wholesale and Pepsi; Island Supply; Le Classique Shoe and Leather Boutique; Kings Powerhouse Gym; Health City Cayman; B Creativ; and Prodigy Jewelers. Sponsorship opportunities are still available for these events and for next year’s Batabano events and parade. Businesses can email Mrs. Myrie directly at [email protected].

The next in this series of fundraising events will be a New Year’s Eve celebration at a private, but exquisite, location. Details to be announced at a later date.

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ABOUT CAYMAN CARNIVAL BATABANO

Established in 1983 by the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman, Cayman Carnival Batabano is the National Carnival of the Cayman Islands. A salute to Cayman’s turtling heritage, “Batabano” is the native name for tracks left in the sand when sea turtles go ashore to nest, which has always been cause for celebration in the Cayman Islands. From humble beginnings, Cayman Carnival Batabano has grown from a small parade with homemade costumes and floats, to an international tourism attraction with hundreds of masqueraders donning professional costumes by local and international designers, parading down West Bay Road just steps from Cayman’s iconic Seven Mile Beach. A unique carnival that fuses culture and the arts via creative costumes, Caribbean music, local crafts, and a Food Festival worthy of the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean, Batabano is symbolically held over the first two weekends of May (including Junior Batabano) as part of the celebration and awareness of the start of Turtle Nesting Season. Today, the non-profit Cayman Carnival Batabano Board of Directors is proud to use its platform to promote and support local turtle conservation efforts in the Cayman Islands. Part-proceeds from Batabano sponsorships will help support select turtle conservation initiatives locally, made possible only through the financial contributions of Cayman’s corporate community and the local Government. For more details, visit www.caymancarnival.com and follow www.facebook.com/batabanocayman, www.instagram.com/caymancarnivalbatabano, and www.twitter.com/batabano_cayman.