Bajans and visitors alike were treated to the absolute best during Bridgetown Market at the Spring Garden Highway, over the last weekend of the Sweetest Summer Festival, Crop Over. Craft, music, dance, food, drink and a good time were enjoyed by all, as they seized the opportunity in spite of occasional showers, to purchase a bit of Barbados, either as a souvenir or culinary delight.

Spring Garden is the one place where friends are sure to meet, in some instances having not seen each other in ‘donkey’s years’ and where new bonds are formed. It is also the place for a wide cross section of delights. One highlight presented on the Main Stage in the Craft Market was the presentation of the Brazilian Samba band Rosas de Ouro.

The twenty-five member Rosas de Ouro Samba Band arrived in Barbados at the invitation of the Barbados Tourism Authority. Immediately they took to the stage their music, costumes and dance captivated the audience. Founded in 1971 Rosas de Ouro is one of the largest and best known schools in Sao Paulo and in more than 30 years in the Special Group parade, they have hardly fallen below the sixth place, in 2010 they copped the 1st place title.

It was time too for others who won 1st place, as Party Monarch Mikey led crowd favourites Biggie Irie, Blood, Mister Dale and others in scintillating performances. The show stopper was undoubtedly the Barbados Youth Symphony Orchestra. Who would have imagined that a Symphony Orchestra would find a place in this ‘Kadooment’? but they did so to the huge satisfaction of the crowd. This is what makes Crop Over more than a Carnival; it’s the different music genres to be enjoyed and oh yes, the crafts.

King of the Crop Grantley Hurley and Queen of the Crop Judy Cumberbatch were the toast of the weekend as they were greeted by stall operators. The array of crafts demonstrated the vast creativity of the artists and the prices were the reward for those who came out in support of the Craft Market as the King and Queen could attest.

Bridgetown Market was significant for the commemorative march for Emancipation. Starting from Independence Square, the Emancipation March ended at the Craft Market where wreaths were laid by dignitaries led by Minister of Family, Culture, Sports and Youth, the Honourable Stephen Lashley. In the midst of our revelry there was the important observation of our heritage and the contributions made by ‘our heroes’ who have brought us to where we are. Bridgetown Market was everyone’s favourite for another year.