Thousands revel in Vinet Park in Grenada celebration
By: Gemma Raeburn-Baynes
The “Spice Island Cultural Day inaugural Extravaganza” staged on July 21 at Vinet Park in Little Burgundy was a celebration of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique. And it was a massive success.
. It was an amazing event.
The more than 3,000 Montrealers who made it down to Vinet Park, the historical birthplace of Montreal’s Black community, to enjoy and celebrate the delights of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique, was evidence of the grand success of the event, much to the satisfaction of our many sponsors, media partners and partner organizations.
Spice Island Cultural Day Association of Quebec (SICDAQ) was developed by members of the Grenadian community in Montreal, in collaboration with the office of the Honorary Consul for Grenada in Quebec, Mr. Leonard Wharwood Jr. and the Grenada Nationals Association of Montreal Inc. with the objective of showcasing the music, culinary delights and other cultural offerings of the Spice Island, at a well-organized summer festival.
Organizers extend special “Thanks” to their media partners: CTV, CJLO, CKUT, Montreal Community Contact, TNRK Media and Wondering Lovers Media. And to our sponsors, including the Grenada Tourism Authority, Grenada Market, Caribbean Airlines, The Sud-Ouest Borough, Caribbean Curry House, Greenz Restaurant and Island Design.
Also to the line-up of well-respected politicians and community leaders who added to the prestige of the event by their presence . They included Grenada’s Minister of Youth, Sports, Culture and the Arts, Norland Cox, who was on hand to represent the Grenada Government and to present the Grenada Iconic Awards to six Grenadians in the Diaspora.
Also present were Mme Thibeault, who represented Montreal’s Mayor Valerie Plante; Ambassador Derrick James, Consul General for Grenada in Canada; Leonard Wharwood Jr, Honorary Consul for Grenada in Quebec; Patricia Maher, CEO of the Grenada Tourism Authority and one of the main sponsors of the event; Tiffany Callender, executive director of the Cote Des Neiges Black Community Association; Mr. Michael Farkas, director of Youth in Motion; Sharon Nelson of the Jamaica Association of Montreal; Dr. Myrna Lashley, Honorary Consul for Barbados in Montreal and George Grant, Honorary Consul for Jamaica in Montreal.
More than 300 individuals, including vendors, entertainers such as King Ajamu, Tallpree, KennyC, and many others: chefs, models and masqueraders all contributed in making Spice Island Cultural Day a point of reference for Grenadian-ness in Montreal, as well as the potential for becoming a signature event in this city of festivals.
A donation of $1,200 was collected at the gate towards the Grenada General Hospital. Congratulations to Mr. Reynold Clarke, winner of the Caribbean Airlines return trip to Grenada.
Visit Spice Island Cultural Day Association of Quebec (SICDAQ) at www.spiceislandculturalday.com or like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SICDAQ/. Call (514) 620-6612 to get involved.
