ASSOU SKWE (on the square)
Jan 1 and 2 A two-day fest that was held on Columbus (now Walcott) Square, hence the name. Is an enormous New Year fair with creole food, fruit juices and the inevitable alcohol. The music is continuous and ear-popping. Some villages in recent years have produced their own version. There are mechanical rides - ferris wheel and especially children's carousels. There are masquerade groups in evidence with characters such as 'Toes', 'Papa Jab', 'Pay Banyan' and others designed to bring fear, joy, laughter and rhythm to spectators.

SPORT mainly cricket and soccer.

EASTER SUNDAY
A great party day equivalent to Christmas in its intensity. New clothes, visiting relatives and friends, food, drink, music and dancing are the order of the day.

JAZZ FESTIVAL
Has been held on the week of the second Sunday
in May for the past few years (co-incides with Mothers' Day). Now recognized as being the fifth best Jazz Fest in the world and still creeping up the ladder to greater heights each year.
Accommodation is scarce during the period and a reservation for a hotel place is recommended well in advance. Top international artistes give concerts at main venues and in hotels but the Fest also spills over into the streets for late-late
sessions... Lunch time concerts given at villages outside Castries during the week.

CORPUS CHRISTI
This is a big event in the Roman Catholic calendar and is marked by special masses and processions. Very spectacular.

CARNIVAL CELEBRATIONS

An unforgettable annual event, Carnival is
usually launched in February but the date
was changedin 1998. This gala event
includes a host of activities throughout St Lucia.
These include Calypso shows and competitions,
a Carnival Queen show and a King and Queen
of the Bands competition. Thousands of carnival
-loving fans and revelers join the action each year.
Visitors are also invited to join this annual "jump-up"
parade of music and glitter.

FISHERMEN'S FEAST
June 29 (Fet Peche) Early morning mass and then ceremonial blessing of the boats, which are richly decorated. Very colorful and has a deep significance amongst the local fishermen.

1st Monday - Emancipation Day. Marks the end of slavery. Several cultural events take place and this will probably develop over the coming years as more interest is taken in the spirit of the day.

3rd Week - Market Vendors Day ( Fet Wivandez). After Mass, the Markets are alive with music and dancing as their own special day unfolds.

30th Festival of La Rose (La Woz) One of two Flower festivals that reaches back into the mists of time. Nobody knows its origin. La Rose supporters are the arch-rivals of the other Festival of La Marguerite, in October. For some months the supporters of La Rose will have been holding meetings (seances) at which traditional songs and dances are practiced and funds raised. On the day, the society will have elected a 'King and Queen' with a full retinue of Judges, Policemen and Women, Doctors, Nurses, the Military,etc. All wear appropriate costumes. The day begins with Mass and then processions around the towns and villages (each village has a society) followed by a great deal of food, drink, music and dancing.

1st Monday. Church Fairs at the Methodist and Anglican churches.
17th Flower Festival of La Marguerite (see La Rose).

SUNDAY CLOSEST TO 28th JEUNEN KWEYOL (Creole Day)
Although scheduled as a 'Day', the celebrations of St. Lucian culture last from Mid- October to mid-November. Recently diversified from Castries to some 3 to 5 villages, spread strategically around the island. In theory only Kweyol may be spoken on that day - or risk a 'fine'. It is basically the celebration of people sharing a common culture. Old crafts are on display - pottery, woven baskets (from lobster pots to shopping baskets), decorated gourds, the making of farine from cassava, cane crushing, traditional dancing and so on. Needless to say, there is music, dancing, and creole food and drink. Shak-shak bands and other old musical groups are ever present.

22nd. ST CECILIA'S DAY
Celebrated as the patron Saint of Music and allows a great many concerts and local street jollities.

CHRISTMAS is regarded here very much as a Christian Festival. However, once the beautiful church services are ended, there is a great deal of partying and carousing everywhere. Houses will have been carefully cleaned, repaired and repainted and traditional drinks, such as sorrel, and meats galore brought in. St. Lucians never miss the chance to celebrate and this is one example of where the sky is the limit.