About Grenada
History
Christopher Columbus discovered Grenada in 1498. The island was already inhabited by the Carib Indians, who had migrated from the South American mainland, killing or enslaving the peaceful Arawaks who where already inhabitants here. The Amerindians called their island Camerhogue, but Columbus renamed it Concepcion. However, passing Spanish sailors found its lush green hills so evocative of Andalusia that they rejected this name in favor of Granada. The French then called it La Grenade, and the British followed suit, changing Grenade to Grenada (pronounced Gre-nay-da). Aggressive defence of the island by the Caribs prevented settlement by Europeans until the 17th century. In 1609 some Englishmen tried and failed, followed by a group of Frenchmen in 1638; but it was not until 1650 that a French expedition from Martinique landed and made initial friendly contact with the inhabitants.
People
noun: Grenadian(s)
adjective: Grenadian
The original people
The recorded history of Grenada dates back to the early 1600's. The original people, subsistence agriculturalists, are thought to have come by canoe from the Orinoco Basin in what is now Venezuela in the first century AD. The Arawak people followed in the sixth century, who named the island Ciboney. The next wave of immigrants were the 'Caribs', who arrived in the fifteenth century and conquered the Arawak nation and renamed the place Camerhogne. European history has described the Caribs as 'cannibals' but there is no proof that this was the case. Their correct historical name is the Kalinago. Christopher Columbus sailed by on the Santa Maria and gave the name Concepcion, in honour of the Madonna. This is reflected on the coat of arms with a Madonna lily. The area is still sometimes referred to as the "West Indies"; a legacy of Columbus thinking he was on his way to India!
For more information read on (population stastics for Grenada at the bottom of this page)
Biking and Scooters in Grenada
Renting a bike or moped in Grenada allows you to enjoy the independence of traveling at your own pace without the hassle of driving a car up and down unfamiliar foreign roads. In addition to the perks of the wind in your hair and every route being scenic, rental costs for bikes and mopeds are considerably lower than car rental rates, especially when you compare deposits and gas prices.Renting road or mountain bikes can be a perfect way to exercise while observing Grenada's many lush, green areas and beaches. Bikes are also a sufficient way to get to and from your destinations. Bikes and mopeds can be conveniently rented from your hotel or from one of the island's rental car companies.
Although biking is an inexpensive way to traverse the island, the geography of Grenada will see to it that your ride is a bit of a workout. The land on the island is hilly, and the roads are often narrow and steep, so cyclists should use caution and always be on the defensive when sharing roads with auto traffic.
With the tropical island breeze at your back and gorgeous island scenery slowly passing by, cycles and motor scooters can be an enjoyable and inexpensive means of transportation while visiting the island of Grenada, but use caution when traveling the island's winding roads.
Grenada Events 2012
- Grenada Sailing Festival - 27th to 31st of January 2012 at Campter & Nicolsons Port Louis Marina
- Grenada Workboat Regatta - 3rd to 5th of February 2012 at Grand Anse Beach
- South Grenada Regatta - 24th to 26th Febuary 2012 at LePhare Bleu, Calivigny
- Carriacou Carnival Feb 2012 (annual)
- Grenada Drum Festival May 2012 (annual)
- Carriacou Regatta Jul - Aug 2012 (annual)
- Grenada Carnival Aug 2012 (annual)
Grenada Carnival 2012
Looking for information about Carriacou Carnival 2012? Click HERE
When is Grenada Carnival 2012?
Grenada Carnival 2012 - Spicemas begins on June 2nd with the Carnival Launch at the Grenada National Stadium and Pan Jamboree. It continues on into June with the Soca Quarterfinals but the main events for 2012 start Friday 10 August 2012 and go through Tuesday 14 August 2012. For a list of the dates for each event CLICK HERE.
What is Grenada Carnival 2012?
Grenada explodes in colour and noise at the ebullient Grenada Carnival, 'Spicemas'. Grenadian starlets vie for the carnival crown and soca and calypso singers compete to be 'monarch'. Multi-coloured 'devils' run wild and steel bands rock the island during J’ouvert.
Young and Old come to enjoy Pan Jamboree, the Soca Quarterfinal, and Monday Night Mas in Greanada. 
The capital jumps to the sounds of steel bands and DJs as everyone enjoys a 'Last Lap' during the Parade of the Bands on the final day throughout St George's. Cover yourself in bright body paint and join the thousands for a mighty fine Caribbean J'Ouvert.
Grenada Waterfall Locations
You can use this new map to zoom in and click on waterfalls for more infomation about Tufton Hall Waterfall, Seven Sisters Waterfalls, Paraclete Waterfall, Concord Waterfalls, Annandale Waterfall and Royal Mt. Carmel Waterfall.
View Larger Map
Carriacou Carnival 2012
Carnival on Carriacou (one of the sister islands of Grenada) is held in February. For 2012 Carnival in Carriacou is on February 20 to the 21.
About Carriacou Carnival
Carnival celebrations in Carriacou are held from the weekend before the start of the Christian Lenten period. In the tradition of Caribbean Carnivals, these celebrations include calypso competitions and the parade of brightly costumed masqueraders through the streets of the main villages.
Unique to Carriacou Carnival is the Shakespeare Mas, in which brightly dressed Peirrots engage in a battle of wits using only lines from Shakespearean plays. The competitor without a quick reply earns a playful stroke from his opponent's stick.
Carnival in Carriacou climaxes with two days of street parades and various competitions among calypsonians and masquerade bands. Although the Carnival entails many aspects of the main land's Carnival, this event is quite spectacular in its very own unique way.
SummerCrew 2012
SummerCrew is known as the party band on the road both Carnival Monday and Carnival Tuesday.
The motto for this years 2012 SummerCrew Grenada Carnival Mas Band is:
"One Carnival, many Destinations"
SummerCrew is composed of a committee of persons who embody and aim to expand the carnival spirit.
SummerCrew has many events leading up to carnival, they are as follows:
The launch of SummerCrew Costumes takes place in April. More Information to come.
Posse Cruise, the first cruise from SummerCrew scheduled for Sunday 13th May, 2012.This cruise is an appreciation cruise, in which SummerCrew will give out complimentary tickets randomly to people partying at Bananas Night Club in True Blue, Grenada.
The second cruise Splash Cruise, scheduled for Sunday 3rd June, 2012.
On Carnival Thursday we have Divas Divine, this show features all the female artist in Grenada all performing on one stage, in Bananas car park. On the night the top female artist receives a People's Choice Award. This initiative had been put on to recognize the female artists in the island, because SummerCrew believes that they don't get the recognition that they deserve and every year thus far this event keeps getting bigger and better as the girls are developing.
Then SummerCrew has the biggest cruise in which both both the Rhum Runner 1 and Rhum Runner 2, the Wet and Wild Bikini Cruise that happens every Carnival Saturday. This cruise is a color coded cruise in which the party boat wears RED and the VIP boat wears BLUE, this cruise is an all Inclusive Day Cruise. The early bird special for tickets is as follows
Party Boat- $125 and the VIP Boat- $150
After all this action there is the big Pre- Jouvert Party; Daybreak and After Dark, 1 party but 2 venues, choice is yours which one you may attend or you can attend both of them like a true party rocker!!!
After all the fun at Afterdark/ Daybreak the patrons will go on to playing in our Jouvert Band :
Digicel, Westerhall, Bananas, SummerCrew
Red Devils Jouvert Band:
Then the SummerCrew band players are jumping on the road on the Carnival Monday to be featured at pageant and then on Tuesday on the road. SummerCrew Mas Band is an inclusive premium drinks band.
This year our Mas Band will be themed Armageddon, so keep posted as the carnival season approaches quickly!!!!!
For more information email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it anytime if you have blackberry the pion is 272BCF29.
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Grenada Carnival 2012 Dates
SpiceMas 2012 Schedule
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April |
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Events |
Date |
Venue |
| SummerCrew Mas Band Costume Sign up | TBD | Bananas Restaurant and Night Club, True Blue, Grenada |
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May |
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Events |
Date |
Venue |
| Posse Cruise - SummerCrew | May 13th | Rum Runner |
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June |
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Events |
Date |
Venue |
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Launch of Carnival |
June 2nd |
National Stadium |
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June 3rd |
Rum Runner |
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Opening of Spicemas, Carnival City |
June 14th |
Fort Matthew |
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Junior Panorama semis & Bomb Tune Competition |
June 30th |
TBA |
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July |
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Events |
Date |
Venue |
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Soca Quarterfinal |
July 5th |
Cuthbert Peters Park Gouyave: St. John |
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Soca Quarterfinal |
July 6th |
Victoria Hard Court: Victoria St. Mark |
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Soca Quarterfinal |
July 7th |
Fond Recreation Ground St. Patrick |
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Soca Quarterfinal |
July 8th |
La Sagesse Natural Works St. David |
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Spicemas Corp. & |
July 14th |
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LIME Road Show |
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Calypso Tent judging |
July 17 - 22 |
Around the Place |
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Groovy Semis |
July 26th |
Fort Matthew |
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LIME Soca Monarch Semis |
July 27th |
Victoria Park Grenville |
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Traditional Mas Exhibition/Competition |
July 28th |
Victoria : St. Mark |
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Melody Pappitette, Calypso Semis |
July 29th |
Victoria Park: Grenville |
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August |
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Events |
Date |
Venue |
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Children's Carnival Frolic |
August 4th |
National Stadium |
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National Queen Show |
August 9th |
National Stadium |
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GCC/LIME Soca Monarch |
August 10th |
National Stadium |
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Panorama |
August 11th |
National Stadium |
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Dimanche Gras |
August 12th |
National Stadium |
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J'Ouvert |
August 13th |
Grand Anse to St. George's |
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Pageant Mas |
August 13th |
Grand Anse to St. George's |
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Monday Night Mas |
August 13th |
Grand Anse to St. George's |
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Parade of the Bands |
August 14th |
Grand Anse to St. George's |
