Pedro Castle to host second annual Coco Fest, February 18

Savannah, Grand Cayman, February 14, 2016 – Pedro Castle is getting ready to shake their coconuts for it’s second annual Coco Fest, on February 18 from 12PM – 4PM! The organisers have teamed up with the Cayman Islands Cancer Society and will be helping to raise funds, spread awareness and celebrate all things coconut!

Visitors are in for a real treat this year as the festival expands to showcase an array of live demonstrations from coconut thatching, coconut cooking, coconut cat-boat-making (hosted by the National Museum) and coconut craft-making (hosted by the Visual Arts Society).

Our vendors will be showcasing some of the best traditional, locally made coconut food on the island; ranging from coconut fish rundown, salt beef rundown, coconut pie, coconut ice cream, kombucha, tarts, heavy cake, dumplings, marshmallows, coconut calamari and so much more!

There will also be crafts, games, live music, beauty products, bouncy castles, facepainting and all kinds of coconut products!

The award-winning documentary Bright Spot will be showing in the Theatre from 2PM – 4PM, for anyone who missed out last year, and is a must-see for food lovers!

Kids can look forward to a Coconut Craft Corner hosted by the Visual Arts Society, Coconut husk Cat Boat-making hosted by the National Museum, a 4-way bungee trampoline, and lots of other fun coconut games!

Quotes:

“We are so excited to be hosting Coco Fest for the second year at Pedro Castle. It’s a very special event to us, our community, and our local vendors. It brings everyone together through a shared love for the Cayman coconut in a fun, interactive and family-oriented environment. The event also serves to remind us of a time when the coconut industry was prominent in Cayman, and aims to preserve its ties to Cayman culture and heritage.” – Shayma Hamdi, Marketing Coordinator, TAB.

“The vendors who participate in Coco Fest are very passionate about what they do, and their passion shines through in the care and quality put into their products. It’s a real treat for visitors to be able to taste and experience the myriad of coconut products offered by Cayman’s cottage industries, and to do so in such a stunning and historic environment like Pedro St. James.” – Shayma Hamdi, Marketing Coordinator, TAB.

“We are very proud to support the Cayman Islands Cancer Society this year, and are happy to be donating $1 from all admissions back to the charity to help them raise funds and save lives within our community”. – Shayma Hamdi, Marketing Coordinator, TAB.

“Coco Fest is a very important event for us here at Pedro St. James and we are delighted to be hosting it again this year! We have a great line up of coconut products, and are excited to share them all with everyone on the day. From food to crafts, art, desserts, cocktails, and even beauty products, there is sure to be something coconut for everyone.” – Debbie Bodden, Operations Manager, Pedro St. James.
Coco Fest is also a fundraising event for our National Historic Site, with all proceeds going toward the maintenance and upkeep of our Great House and grounds. Pedro St.James is the oldest surviving stone structure in Cayman, and the birthplace of democracy for the Cayman people. As such, it plays a pivotal role in preserving our local history and heritage for future generations and we are truly grateful to everyone who comes out to support us in this joint effort.” – Debbie Bodden, Operations Manager, Pedro St. James.

Activities
Award-Winning documentary Bright Spot will be showing in the Theatre from 2PM – 4PM (contact producer Tamer Soliman – 917-5282)
Kids Coconut Craft Corner, hosted by the Visual Arts Society
Cat Boat-making with coconut husks, hosted by the National Museum
Coconut Games
4-way Kids Bungee Trampoline
Facepainting
Bouncy Castles
Lots of delicious, local, coconut-inspired cooked food
Coconut-inspired drinks & cocktails
Coconut-inspired crafts, candies, beauty products
Live cooking demos
-Live Music

Vendors / Coconut -Inspired Products Available
Foods: Salt Beef Coconut Rundown, Fish Coconut Rundown, Fry Fish n Fritters in coconut oil, coconut heavy cake, coconut tarts, coconut calamari, coconut top custard cups, coconut peacon chew bread, corn cobs in coconut milk, stew conch in coconut milk, molten coconut cake, coconut tabiko,marshmallows, desserts & more!

Drinks: coconut water, coconut cocktails, coconut kombucha
Beauty: coconut oil, face scrubs, lip glosses, soaps, bug sprays
-Crafts: make a cat boat from coconut husks and take home for free thanks to the National
Museum, coconut craft making corner hosted by the Visual Arts Society. Miss Carmen Connolly
will be showcasing how to make thatch from coconut limbs.
– Art: Wreck View Art Gallery will be showcasing Wood carvings made from coconut tree trunk,
coconut jewelery, stingrays made from coconut palm

Sponsors:
Cayman National – helping to support local live music
Foster’s Food Fair- helping to showcase local talent at the live coconut cookin’ demo station
Pepsi- providing tents for shade

Charity:
– We have teamed up with the Cayman Islands Cancer Society to promote Cancer Awareness Month (Feb 4 is World Cancer Day), and help raise funds to save lives within our community.
$1 from every admission fee will be donated back to CICS.
– A lot of awareness campaigns happen along the west side of the island (George Town, West Bay, Seven Mile Beach), so this presents a great opportunity to raise awareness in the Eastern District. There will be a focus on early detection methods for breast and prostate cancer.
– Campaign hashtag will be #ishookmycoconuts for everyone who donates for a photo at the CICS photo booth!

Bands/Musicians:
Dexter Bodden
Back Beat Band
D Major
Coconut Cowboy – Kingsley Donalds

What is Coco Fest?
Coco Fest was inspired by the documentary Bright Spot, (produced by nutritionist Tamer Soliman). It is in support of a growing coconut industry in Cayman and gives local vendors the opportunity to showcase their products. It’s aimed at remembering a time in Cayman when the coconut industry was prominent, and aims to preserve its ties to Cayman culture and heritage.

All profits from the event go toward the restoration and maintenance of the Pedro St. James National Historic Site, in an ongoing effort by the TAB to preserve, protect and promote Cayman culture and heritage through its national attractions.

Coco Fest will take place at Pedro Castle in Savannah on February 18 from 12PM to 4PM. Admission for adults is $5 CI and kids under 12 go free.