Proud Barbadians and travelers from around the globe will come together on mass this July in order to participate in CropOver, a celebration of music, masquerade and tradition, signifying the end of the sugar cane harvest. With the Opening Gala set for July 10, 2004, four weeks of tight competition and performances ensue, culminating at the Grand Kadooment on August 2, 2004.
The festival has its roots as far back as the 1780s, when Barbados was one of the world’s foremost producers of sugar, and provides a wonderful insight into Barbadian heritage and national spirit through intense music, art, food, and a spectacular display of color and costumes.

Calypso is one of the main ingredients of CropOver festival. Over the weeks, calypsonians perform in “calypso tents” and the airwaves are full of the tantalizing sounds and titillating social commentaries of these talented singers and musicians. Kaiso! Kaiso! Kaiso! The Pic-o-de-Crop Calypso Competition which takes place on the last Friday of the festival always lives up to its name ... the very best in calypso present their classic renditions to a packed National Stadium.

CropOver’s grand finale is Grand Kadooment. It’s the day when the Bajans and their visitors let it “all hang out,” as thousands jam the streets, jumping, prancing and moving to the pulsating rhythms of the calypso beat. Large eye-catching costume bands depicting various themes of Barbadian life parade before the judges and a full National Stadium. Revelers then make their way from the Stadium to Spring Garden. Music and merriment fill the air as the masqueraders sample the local foods and rum, “wine down” and basically “leh go.” A grand end to a grand festival.
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