The start of an exciting summer season on the Nature Island officially kicked off last month with Dominica’s Jazz ‘n Creole. From Dive Fest—the Caribbean’s longest running diving festival—to events like Goat, Rabbit and Titiwi festivals celebrating unique island cuisines—get ready for a summer of fun on the Nature Island!
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Adventurous, tasty and educational events planned on Dominica through September.
July 10-20, 2014: Dive Fest (www.dominicawatersports.com)
The Caribbean’s longest-running diving festival—now in its 21st year—is an island-wide party showcasing the Nature Island’s exceptional scuba diving. Rated as one of the top 10 dive locations in the world, this annual extravaganza is noted for its traditional canoe racing, dinner dances, sunset cruises, whale watching and waterside fêtes. Dive Fest focuses attention on the sport of scuba diving, educates the public about diving, and raises awareness about Dominica’s stunning and unique marine environment. Many activities are free or available at a considerably reduced rate. This one-of-a-kind experience is a truly exceptional Caribbean event!
Aug. 2-3, 2014: Goat Festival
La Plaine—a farming village on the eastern coast of the island—celebrates Goat Fest every year. Dominicans and goat meat lovers flock to La Plaine for the two-day festival. Cuisine features fresh goat dishes prepared in diverse ways to tantalize the taste buds, while other activities include goat races, goat pageants and everything goat! The festival is complemented with musical entertainment throughout the weekend—all in the name of fun, frolic and goats!
Aug. 3, 2014: Rabbit Festival
The village of Cochrane is host to the island’s annual Rabbit Festival. Organized by the Rabbit Festival Committee, the event includes tasty rabbit dishes, rabbit races, exhibitions, a kids’ corner and a petting zoo.
Weekends Aug. 8 to Sept. 7, 2014
Nature Island Literary Festival & Book Fair (www.dominicalitfest.com)
This free event is held annuallyat the UWI Open Campus Grounds in Roseau, Dominica’s capital. The festival features prose and poetry readings, storytelling, music, film, interviews, book fair, competitions and workshops for adults and children. This year the festival focuses on Caribbean theatre.
Sept. 14-21, 2014: Kalinago Week (www.kalinagoterritory.com)
Kalinago Week is celebrated each year during the week of September 19 in observance of Sept. 19, 1930. During that time in history, the Kalinago people actively engaged in trading with neighboring French Territories wherelocal produce was traded for goods such as tobacco, sugar and rum. The week-long celebration includes panel discussions, visits to schools and elderly citizens, art & craft exhibition, and other festive moments including food and dance. The celebration is held annually to help build stronger bonds among the Kalinago people.
Sept. 26, 2014: Titiwi Festival
Layou’s Annual Titiwi Festival celebrates the small fish known as the “Titiwi.” Located on Dominica’s West Coast, Layou is just 20 minutes north of the capital of Roseau and is located at the mouth of the Layou River, Dominica’s longest river. Thousands of the small fish gather on the river banks each month, a natural phenomenon that ideally positions the village to promote this local delicacy. The Titiwi Festival gives everyone a chance to taste this unique cuisine that has become part of the heritage of the people of Layou. In addition to tasting Titiwi, fun activities include zip-lining across the Layou River, ATV rides, boat rides, beach football and sack races. Plenty of food and drink is available, as well as music and an art & crafts exhibition.
For details on more Nature Island events, visit www.discoverdominica.com