ANTIGUA SAILING WEEK

The English Harbour Street Party held last night in the Nelson’s Dockyard parking lot was heralded a success by all who attended. Located in the area between Life Bar and Restaurant and Abracadabra,  a huge stage and lighting system faced back down the street towards all of the bars and vendors. Over 3000 people came to the event from all around the island causing huge congestion as people desperately tried to get to  the party. Crowds were still queuing up at midnight to get in.
 
The EC$10 door fee is being split between the National Parks CCTV Fund and Crime Stoppers Antigua so given the amount of people who attended the event it was excellent to see that there was no trouble, with the Police, Police Task Force and the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force all paying pivotal and successful roles in maintaining order.
 
The programme began at 7pm with a welcome from one of the evenings M.C.’s Stiffla introducing the Lime Hellsgate Steel Orchestra.  They really got people in the carnival mood and already people were dancing near the stage, while many enjoyed dining at the restaurants and vendors nearby.
 
At 8pm M.C. Sassy joined Stiffla and together they did a fantastic job keeping the crowd informed and entertained throughout the night. Next on was Falmouth band Hygh Tempa. For many people they are synonymous with Christmas Day in the Dockyard and last night were able to get the crowd in the soca party mood. Tian Winter with band Nu Edition were next up and kept spirits high.
 
The Official launch of Antigua Carnival 2010 took place with a short speech from Minster Eleston Adams Minister for Carnival and the constituency.  This year’s beautiful Carnival Queen contestants were then announced including last year’s winners Shelena George along with Daina Barnes, better known for her vocal talent.
 
Throughout the evening the Carib Girls were on hand to spice things up island style and had many hearts beating in the process.
 
The Point and Villa Iron Band then marched through the crowd with a Sensay troupe dancing up a storm. Claudette Peters, Sleepy and Taxik then came on stage until 11.30pm. Tian Winter and Claudette Peters both delivered a mixed set including tracks such as Black Eyed Peas ’I’ve Got a Feeling’ ensuring that the music appealed to visitors as well as Antiguans.
 
The final act was Burning Flames who played until after 2am and had visitors on stage dancing up a storm. With their own particular brand of comedy Onyan and Onugku really brought the house down.
 
After 3am the atmosphere of revelry and good times kept people liming by the vendors or heading into Life Bar and Abracadabra to carry on the evening.
The sun was coming up as many people made their way home.
 
Check out photos from the evening here.
 
Today everyone heads to the Antigua Yacht Club for Lay Day, where from midday free ‘Bloody Mary’s’ will be on offer to get the party going, and the greasy pole and limbo dancing are on the games menu.