Grenada gets ready for Spicemas Carnival celebration

Grenada is putting the final touches on preparations for Spicemas, its annual Carnival celebration.

This year’s event will take place August 1-15.

The cultural celebration will showcase a variety of week-long activities that reflect the destination’s African, French, British and Caribbean ancestral heritage.

Grenada, known as the Spice Isle of the Caribbean, names its annual Carnival Spicemas as a nod to the island’s production of the most spices per square mile in the Caribbean region.

Last year’s event was its first after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.

In anticipation of this year’s celebration a May launch event for Spicemas was held in Brooklyn, New York.

“We wanted to give New Yorkers a taste of what they can expect come August in Grenada,” said Petra Roach, CEO of the Grenada Tourism Authority.

“By all accounts, the event was a massive success, and it was a beautiful run up to the celebration we have planned here in Grenada. The pure energy that reverberates throughout the destination is something we all look forward to experiencing and sharing with the world. It is by far the best expression of carnival and this year’s will be unforgettable.”

Revelers at this year’s Spicemas can attend several events taking place across the island, all leading up to the main Carnival event Monday and Tuesday.

Events include a Children’s Carnival Frolic, the National Carnival Queen Pageant and the Parade of Bands.

In anticipation of the number of visitors Spicemas will draw, JetBlue and Caribbean Airlines have expanded their service to the destination.

JetBlue, currently offering daily nonstop service from New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK), will operate a second daily nonstop flight from August 7 to September 1, departing at 9:50 p.m. and arriving at Grenada’s Maurice Bishop International Airport (GND) at 2:47 a.m.

The returning flight departs GND at 5:01 a.m. and arrives at JFK at 9:57 a.m.

Caribbean Airlines’ expansion, which will take place in the US and Canada with direct flights on August 8 and 11 and August 7 and 8, respectively, and Trinidad, with increased passenger capacity.

“The expanded connectivity is a true testament to Spicemas’ appeal,” said Roach.

“It’s a celebration not to be missed and the extra service makes it possible for even more people to witness our culture come alive here in Grenada.”

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