Petite Martinique Whitsuntide Regatta Festival

The biggest event of the year on the the Petite Martinique calendar as it’s name suggests takes place on the Whitsuntide holiday weekend. Sailing is what the regatta festival is all about however there are plenty of on shore activities for those not getting their feet wet.

The regatta sees sailors coming from the Grenadine islands of Bequia, Mayreau and Canouan, as well as Carriacou, Woburn and Gouyave in Grenada competing for various prizes and bragging rights.
It’s also a time for locals living abroad to come home and celebrate with friends and loved ones.

The festival begins with an opening ceremony on Friday night. This includes cultural flambeau march, wetting of the ring and cultural presentations from the young old. The night is closes off with a live band performance.

Saturday sees the start of the sailing and activities on Sanchez Beach. The sailing starts at 10 am with a round the island race and on shore activities usually be at 3 pm. At night head over the PM hard court for the Soca Fete with a mix of foreign and local artist.

On Sunday we head back to the beach of day two of sailing and activities.
On this night there’s another Fete sometimes involving paint and power. In recent years it has been held on the beach.

Monday morning beings with Breaking Dawn, Petite Martinique’s J’ouvert. The parade usually follows main street from the jetty and ends on Sanchez Beach. At noon it’s back to the beach for the final day of activities and sailing at 3 PM.

Later on there’s the prize giving and closing ceremony to lock of the weekend.