The Junior Kadooment / Kiddies Kadooment
The little ones are not to be left out of the Crop Over season. Kiddies Kadooment gives young revelers their chance to parade before judges in spectacular, age-appropriate costumes. Judging traditionally takes place at the National Stadium, and these children boldly represent their various bands in costume and dance. This is an event for the entire family.
Grand Kadooment Day
This day is truly the ultimate climax of the Crop Over Festival, and is a day filled with merriment, colourful costumes, sweet soca and large crowds. It is the official finale of Crop
Over and traditionally takes place on the first Monday of August. Kadooment certainly is a grand, colourful spectacle, as many Barbadian costume designers are showcased in the numerous bands as they vie for the coveted Designer of the Year prize. Some of these costumes can be extremely provocative and racy, so consider yourselves warned!
This adult street parade takes place early Monday morning, and the procession of revelers all jump to the Spring Garden Highway, where most of the Crop Over action seems to culminate. Here, the feathered and bejeweled costumed band jumpers follow behind music trucks, drinks in hand, gyrating and dancing for the entire journey.
Once the bands reach Spring Garden, many high-energy revelers continue to enjoy the festivities, as the Bridgetown Market is located right on this highway stretch. Here the dancing continues, this time accompanied by eating and drinking, as locals and tourists all enjoy this free-spirited day. Others choose to cool off from the exhausting jump in the nearby Brandons Beach.
The history of masquerading has its roots in African tradition, as persons paraded in masks and costumes through the villages to bring good luck and to remove evil spirits. Costumes were made from natural materials such as; grass, beads, bones, etc, and head-pieces were traditionally made of feathers to symbolise that people can spiritually rise above anything.
These are just some of the main highlights of the Crop Over Festival, but this season is rife with events and activities. If you are visiting Barbados during this time, be sure to take part in some of these cultural activities. Not only can they be tons of fun, but they are also great ways to experience the heritage of the island and its people.
It is an offence subject to punishment in a Court of Law, for persons not registered in a Costume Band to intrude into registered revelers of Costume Bands.