Preparations for annual
Fish Day well in hand
MARIGOT--The Fourth Annual Fish Day will take place at the Pinel Island embarkation area in French Cul-de-Sac Bay on Tuesday, May 1, the Arts and Culture Department announced.
The all-day event epitomises the very best of St. Martin culture and traditions, showcasing food, music, entertainment and folklore dancing, and draws thousands of residents and tourists to Cul-de-Sac from all over the island.
The biggest challenge the organisers face is finding sufficient parking for the hundreds of cars expected. But once again this has been solved by having extra public parking areas supervised by security teams, and a one-way-in and one-way-out system.
Cars exiting the event area will exit towards Horizon Hotel situated on the road to the Cul-de Sac-dump, where they turn left and join the main road again by the Soualiga Collège.
The event site is a rectangular shaped “village” close to the shoreline with some 40 local food stands situated all around its perimeter while in the centre there are 20 more stands for arts, jewellery, clothing, and local handicrafts. At one end is the main stage where live bands and other artists will perform. The Red Cross will also have a stand for any first aid needed.
Much of the fun is in browsing the many local food stands and bars, sampling Creole dishes, locally made punches, seafood and provisions, and engaging in friendly banter. It is not unusual to see politicians of both sides of the island enjoying the day dressed in less formal attire.
Entertainment will be provided this year by Grain d’Or Dancers, Gunslingers, the Rhythm Boys, and new to the event Percy Rankin’s Bonfire Band. Traditional cockfighting may not be to everyone’s taste, but this will take place in a separate covered enclosure. Also new to the event is a billiards tournament open to Dutch- and French-side players.
“What was very pleasing to see last year was that it was not just the St. Martiners coming out, but all the different ethnic communities came out to enjoy the day too,” remarked organiser Nicole Piper. “So I’m saying, ‘Let’s do it again. Come out and enjoy the day.’ You could say this is a gathering of extreme cultures.”
Piper thanked Joseph Laurence for the use of the land, Services Techniques, and other individuals for the preparation of the site.
Fish Day is open from 8:00am until 6:00pm. There is no admission fee. More information can be obtained from the Arts and Culture Department, tel. (0590) 51.19.05.
St Maarten vacation rental
