Nothing like a bit of normalcy returning to our lives, and so we couldn’t be happier to see Coco Fest back on the local calendar.
On Saturday, 26 Feb., a celebration of all things coconut will be happening at Pedro St. James from noon to 6pm. This event appeals to all ages, and often sees families and friends gathered under the shade of a tree, enjoying some delicious homemade treats.
Spearheaded by the Tourism Attraction Board, this will be the seventh annual Coco Fest being held on the grounds of one of Cayman’s most famous historic sites. Although the plan is to make it a scaled-down version of the usual affair, there will still be plenty going on to keep guests entertained.
“[This is] another outlet for entrepreneurs to promote and sell their locally-made products, but emphasising the precious coconut fruit,” said TAB director Patrick Thompson.
According to a press release from TAB, the first festival was held in 2016, and it was created to celebrate the Cayman coconut and to preserve its ties to Caymanian culture and heritage.
People might be surprised to know the myriad range of products that originate from this noble drupe. That’s the wonderful thing about Coco Fest – it’s an eye-opening journey through time, where local artists and craftspeople present wares reminiscent of times gone by.
“Coco Fest also supports the Shop Local ethos by creating a space for small businesses to showcase and sell their artwork, traditional foods and products made from coconut oil or some part of the coconut plant,” the press release stated.
Thompson said that, clearly, regular guests of the festival were not the only ones happy to see it return.
“We have had upwards of 30 vendors and demonstrators in past years, and although we are working to downsize this year’s event to ensure we are adhering to the required COVID-19 regulations, we’ve seen a keen interest by vendors, new and old, signing on,” he said. “I was informed by the Pedro St. James team that all our spots were sold out in about a week’s time.”
Booths will be stocking everything from locally-cooked foods, candies and produce to beauty products. There will also be games to play, and an arts-and-crafts corner hosted by the Visual Arts Society.
For the adults, they’ll appreciate that rum and coconut is a heavenly mix, so Cayman Spirits Company will once again be on site selling its specialty coconut rum drink. Sales will benefit the preservation of Pedro St. James.
Once you have your food and drink and have found a comfy spot on the grass, sit back and listen to music from One World Entertainment, Little Magic and the Pan n’ Riddim steel band. The breezes wafting in from the coast should keep the proceedings nice and cool so, really, it’s the perfect day out. If you haven’t been before, make sure to mark it on your calendars. You’ll soon see why everyone is cuckoo for Coco Fest.
Tickets
Entry to Coco Fest is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 6-12. Children 5 and under are free. All attendees will receive a raffle ticket with their entry and will be able to purchase more tickets at the Pedro St. James info booth.
Parking
There is plenty of parking nearby. If you don’t snag a spot in the prime parking lot, you’ll find additional spots in the Savannah Play Field and at the rear of the Cayman Islands Baptist Church. The TAB courtesy bus will run back and forth to these areas to shuttle patrons to the admissions gate; social-distancing protocols will be in effect with the RCIPS on hand to manage traffic flow along Pedro Castle Road.
About the Tourism Attraction Board
The Cayman Islands Tourism Attraction Board is responsible for managing the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park; the National Historic Site, Pedro St. James; the Cayman Craft Market; and the Hell Geological Site. For information on the TAB or its agencies, email [email protected], call 949-6999, or visit the website www.tab.ky and its social media platforms.
| Coco Fest will take place at the Pedro St. James Great Lawn in Savannah on Saturday, 26 Feb. from noon to 6 pm. For information, call 947-3329 or email Mona Meade at [email protected].
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