Crop Over Festival in Barbados
On Barbados’ list of the best 25 things to do list, the Crop Over Festival is listed
13th. Popular opinion might say that it should be first.
Crop Over, a lasting five-weeks in the summer, is Barbados' most popular and colorful
festival. With origins tracing back to the 1780's, Crop Over mixes tradition and
modern, with nearly the whole island lighting up. Proud of thier heritage and tradition,
Bajans are only too happy to invite all to enjoy the spectacle, entertainment, and
edible delights the festival brings.
Hundreds of years ago, Barbados was the world's largest producer of sugar and held
a prominent position as a commercial center of the British Empire. Barbadians held
a huge celebration to mark the culmination of the successful sugar cane harvest.
Today, Crop Over’s main events include the “Pic-O-De-Crop” Competition. After weeks
of performance and preliminary judging, the best Calypsonian artists compete for
the “Calypso Monarch” title. Judged on lyrical content, performance, melody, and
diction, contestants each artist performs two songs, complete with props and a live
band. The winner receives cash and prizes and the grand title of “Calypso Monarch”.
