Harvest Festivals?

[Joe E Brannan]

Just noticed that (at least if the dates from the calendar of events from last year are good this year) the Harvest Festival in Charlotteville is happening while we're to be there in April. Big Party? Little Party? Something for a guest to enjoy or something kinda private and local? We were lucky enough to be there for the end of Tobago Fest in September and got to see the Jeuvet parade. What a total hoot (and no I did NOT paint myself with dirt, paint and oil and dance mindlessly through Scarborough.....at least not the first time....ya never know for next time). I really enjoyed seeing a bit of local culture (and a LOT of local color) and was wondering what we might see at Harvest Festival.

thanks
joe

[David Watkins]

Joe,Harvest Festivals are a Christian tradition of the four main Churches in Tobago viz C-of-E(Anglican/Episcopalian),R.C.,Methodists and Moravian.During a Harvest Festival properies are painted up,the church decorated,a lot af baking is done,relatives and friends "visit"and of course Church Services.For instance the Anglicans usually have a Eucharist in the morming and a Cantata in the afternoon.The people donate food,cakes,bread,crops etc. to the church,these are then auctioned off to raise funds for the Church.It is good fun-so go along and join the sister/brotherhood for day!
Hope this little explanation helps,
David,in a gloomy wet Castara

[Joe E Brannan]

Thanks for the response......the food sounds good and I'm all about food. Sounds like it will certainly add to our visit experience.

One note tho....."gloomy wet Castara".....buck up big boy....I'm in gloomy dry Victoria Texas.....going to work.....wearing a tie.....and real shoes.


Gloomy wet Castara.....PSHAW


Kidding

thanks for the response

joe

[Jennifer C]

Hello.
I was in Tobago for 5 months last year and went to at least 5 Harvest Festivals. I was lucky enough to go along with some locals, however I think that we would have been welcome in any case. At every Harvest Festival that we went to we were in invited by people to come to their house at the next festival.
I also attended the Charlotteville Fisherman's Fete last year including the Jouvert event. I was one of the people who got painted in mud and danced "mindlessly' through the streets until dawn. Boy, did I have a fantastic time. Danced right behind the sound truck. Makes me nostalgic to remember. I think that as long as you keep your wits about you and try to follow local customs as closely as possible there is no reason to not join in the fun.

[Joe E Brannan]

thanks for the further reply.....had I known a bit more about what was going on at Jouvert....I mighta tried "mindless dancing" behind the sound truck. In fact.....me Mr Two Left Feet might could actually dance if I tried the mindless technique. The folks dancing so looked like they were totally enjoying themselves Now you got me intrigued about the harvest festivals....we've run across a few such events, including a Saints Day festival on Isla Margarita (16 merengue bands around a town square), on our travels and always come away feeling a little more connected with the places we visited. I definitely love to "taste the local flavor" and this sounds like a great opportunity