Cayman is home to many beautiful tropical birds, but it’s hard to compete with the flock of colourful feathers that will be seen at the CayMAS parade on Saturday, 2 July, starting in George Town at 1pm.
Once again, the excitement of carnival is in the air, and even if you are not actively participating in one of the mas bands, it can be almost as fun setting up a spot along the route and cheering them on.
The likes of Swanky International, Renegade Mas, Nirvana and Kalabra will be partying on the road, along with other groups, including Fete for a Cause – the Cayman Islands Cancer Society entry – which encourages revellers to sign up and raise money for the charity.
There are other events bookending parade day. In fact, the first official party is being held on Wednesday, 29 June at Coral Beach. Don’t worry if you miss it; there are still enough items left on the calendar to guarantee that you’ll need a rest when it’s all over.
Wednesday, 29 June
Soca on the Beach
8pm-close @ Coral Beach
Dance party with DJ Lantern from Jamaica as the headliner, sharing time throughout the night with Sound Revolution, Nexgen Sound, DJ Ryan, DJ Omar, Joshie Vybz + Kiing Nando. Tickets start at $25 with VIP options available. Visit www.eventpro.ky to buy online.
Thursday, 30 June
Blossom Premium All-Inclusive
7pm-midnight @ National Gallery
Cocktail attire is encouraged for the Blossom event with premium drinks flowing all night, delicious dishes, and first-class entertainment courtesy of Red Plastic Bag, Edwin Yearwood and co-presenter Shurwayne Winchester, along with Erica Assai and Vashti. Tickets are $70. Get the scoop at www.eventpro.ky.
Sundown Fete
6:30pm-2am @ Sandbar parking lot
Sandbar in town is the place to be for anyone who doesn’t like to wait until the weekend to party it up. Tickets start at $25 for general admission, all the way to $650 for the Platinum Bottle Package. Ticket options are many and varied, so see the breakdown at www.eventpro.ky.
Friday, 1 July
Duck Work Pool Party
3-9pm @ George Town Yacht Club
Why start happy hour at 5pm when you can ‘duck work’ and get in the weekend spirit from 3pm? Head to the George Town Yacht Club poolside area for music, drinks and dancing from sun-up to well after sundown. Tickets are $35 pre-sold and $45 at the gate, or, if you fancy feeling like a Kardashian, upgrade to $175 for bottle service table level (includes entry ticket, bottle and souvenir item) or $350 for a VIP cabana which covers four entry tickets, one bottle and a souvenir item. Be the envy of your friends and dazzle your enemies. Tickets online at www.ticketsplus.ky.
Happy Parrot Block Party
8pm-close @ Coral Beach
If you’re still looking for somewhere to go after the pool party (or maybe you couldn’t go in the first place because the boss caught you trying to duck work), make your way to Coral Beach where a cavalcade of entertainers await. Skorch Bun It, Nessa Preppy, Olatunji, Sekon Sta and CoolBlaze are all lined up on the roster, ready to keep the music pumping into the wee hours. Tickets are $35 in advance and can be purchased online at www.eventpro.ky.
Saturday, 2 July
CayMAS Carnival Parade
1-5pm @ Paradise restaurant to Seven Mile Public Beach
Mas bands will gather by Paradise restaurant, ready to be off at 1pm, parading through George Town, up North Church Street and onto West Bay Road, with an end point of Seven Mile Public Beach. As usual, the parade will be moving at a slow-but-sure pace with DJs, musicians and emcees on trucks at different intervals, along with volunteers handing out swag and water. Motorists be aware: Just as in previous years, the police will be blocking off sections of road in stages, allowing the parade to pass through before reopening portions behind them.
Swanky AfterMas
5-midnight @ Seven Mile Public Beach
The parade is just the beginning, getting everyone revved up for the AfterMas with none other than Iwer George (2020 International Soca Monarch and Road March winner) and Farmer Nappy (reigning International Soca Monarch) supported by Skorch Bun It and CoolBlaze on stage. There will also be special performances by Erica Assai, DJ Rocksteadyy and DJ Dr. Esan. Entrance is free for Swanky Masqueraders, $20 for general admission, $25 for Tier One, $35 for Tier Two and $50 for Tier Three. There is also the stage-front all-inclusive elevated experience for $150. For more details on the tickets and to buy online, visit www.eventpro.ky.
Sunday, 3 July
‘Tied Up’ Boat Flex
1:30pm-evening @ Cayman Islands Yacht Club
All aboard at 1:30pm with boats departing the CIYC at 2:30pm for an all-inclusive fete with music from a multitude of DJs. Tickets are $50 in advance or $75 on the day. Buy online at www.eventpro.ky.
Monday, 4 July
Swanky Couture Brunch Fete
11am-4pm @ Cayman Cabana
Relax after non-stop late nights with a brunch by the water in George Town. Promoted as an event that celebrates Caribbean women, expect international female DJs spinning the hits, along with special guests Erica Assai, Vashti, Jardae Barnes, Sheena Scott and Daisy Lee. Get yourself a glass of bubbles, take a seat, and toast the public holiday Monday. General admission is $25 with tickets available online at www.eventpro.ky.
Road closures
The following road closures will take place on Saturday, 2 July, to facilitate the CayMAS Carnival street parade, according to an RCIPS news release.
All times are estimates and may be subject to change. The RCIPS advises the public to avoid the areas during these times if not watching the parade.
If travelling to West Bay on Saturday, 2 July, the RCIPS advises motorists to take the Esterley Tibbetts Highway as an alternate route.
In preparation for the parade, South Church Street will be closed between Memorial Avenue and Boilers Road from 10:30am to 1pm.
- 1pm to 1:30pm: South Church Street will remain closed between Memorial Avenue and Boilers Road.
- 1:30pm to 2:15pm: South Church Street and Seafarer’s Way will be closed between Boilers Road and Fort Street.
- 2:15pm to 3pm: North Church Street will be closed between Fort Street and Eastern Avenue.
- 3pm to 4:30pm: West Bay Road will be closed between Eastern Avenue and Lawrence Boulevard.
- 4:30pm to 5pm: West Bay Road will be closed between Lawrence Boulevard and Gecko Link (Galleria Roundabout).
- 5pm to 5:45pm: West Bay Road will be closed between Gecko Link and Lime Tree Bay Avenue.
- 5:45pm to 6:30pm: West Bay Road will be closed between Lime Tree Bay Avenue and the Seven Mile Public Beach entrance.
For information about CayMAS and all events, visit www.caymas.ky.
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Why did we need more road closures and disruptions to people’s lives for this foolishness?
One of these events was held recently and and it’s sad that there are now multiple factions and events due to the inability of the organizers to work together and share the spoils.
One would expect the government to only allow one such disruption and require cooperation between the various sponsors.