On July 13, Montrealers celebrated the second annual Spice Isle Cultural day in Little Burgundy’s Vinet Park. This gathering of music, dancing, culture, food, and fun is an upbeat tribute to the three Caribbean islands that make up the spice isles: Carriacou, Petite Martinique, and Grenada (pronounced GreNAYda, for any unseasoned ears).
The festival isn’t called Spice Isle for nothing. These three Grenada isles export some 1/3 of all the world’s nutmeg, along with such flavourful staples as cloves, cinnamon, ginger, bay leaves, and turmeric. This day-long celebration is like a quick trip to the Caribbean country, complete with lively Grenadian beats, traditional costumes, musical guests, and a visit from the Prime Minister of Grenada himself, Dr. The Right Honourable Keith C. Mitchell.
Under the theme “A Taste of the Spice Isle,” the 2019 edition of the cultural day started well before you entered the park, the air filled with hints of goat curry, jerk chicken, fried bake and saltfish (my hands-down favourite), as well as the country’s national dish, oil down—a stew made with breadfruit, salted meat, chicken, dumplings, callaloo, coconut milk, and vegetables. And, of course, plenty of spice.
If you missed it, you can still get your fill of Caribbean favourites and more from local restaurants and markets that were on site, including Skillz Cuisine, Yasolo, and Neale’s Sweet N Nice Tropical Ice Cream.
Spice Teas of the Caribbean served up a thirst-quenching Grenada-spiced iced tea, as well as Guinness punch—a frothy Caribbean drink blending Guinness, condensed milk, cinnamon, nutmeg and plenty of ice.
Entertainment on the big stage started at 1 and went on all day and through the evening. The growing crowd was treated to the stunning voices of such artists as gospel singers the Fitz-Patrick Sisters, Soca star KennyC, and two of Grenada’s Calypso ambassadors, King Scholar and Shortpree.
Traditional Shortknee dancers took to the stage for a colourful performance, along with the West Can Dancers, and invited guests.
