THINGS TO KNOW DURING THE CROP OVER FESTIVAL
Tips for Participating at Carnival in Barbados
CROP OVER TIPS
Crop Over Info | Mass Gathering Health Guidelines | Crop Over Bands
CROP OVER CALENDAR - Crop Over Caledar…
Crop Over Festival Duration period: (12) weeks
 The official Crop Over Festival National Cultural Foundation (NCF) Calendar:
Usually from the beginning of MAY - AUGUST
The official Crop Over Festival Season:
Usually from the end of JUNE - 1st week of AUGUST
May - June:
Cavalcades / Costume Band Launches & Parties / Calypso Tents openÂ
July – August
Concert Shows / Exhibitions / Competitions / Street Fairs / Parades / Parties / Calypso Tents
TIPS FOR PARTYING AT CROP OVER EVENTS – Crop Over Events…
Jams: (Themed Jams / Soca Jams / Foreday Morning Jam, etc…)
Usually outdoors with live performance/s, band/s and DJ/s
Admission: Varies
Fetes / Parties: (Themed Fetes / Mas Band Fetes / Crop Over Fetes / Soca Fetes, etc…)
Usually indoors with DJ/s and the occasional live performance/s and band/s.
Admission: usually BDS$10.00 / US$5.00 & Up
Limes / Hang Outs: (Themed Limes / Mas CampLimes / Crop Over Limes / Soca Limes, etc…)
Usually indoors with DJ/s
Admission: Usually no admission
All Inclusive Events:
Admission includes – Entry / Drinks & more
Day Events/Outdoor Events
Usual Attire: (Light Casual clothing & Comfortable shoes)
For Outdoor events – Sunglasses & Light shoes without heels
Night Events
Usual Attire: (Casual clothing & Comfortable shoes)
For Outdoor events - Light shoes without heels
Soca Shows / Concerts
Usual Attire: (Casual clothing & Comfortable shoes)
For Outdoor shows - Light shoes without heels, sneakers
Accessories – Small Towel, Bandana & Whistle
Crop Over Events at Nightclubs
Dress Code: usually NO – shorts, armhole vest, caps, slippers, etc… Â
Important Precautions & Safety Tips!!!
- Wear clothing with pockets
- Place monies in multiple pockets
- Avoid over exposing your money
- Avoid wearing expensive jewelry
- Avoid wearing Jewelry that attracts attention
- Avoid traveling dark lonely areas alone
- Always have some form of ID with you
- Always have the name, address & number of where you are staying with you. (tourist)
- Always have a cell phone or a phone card with you
- Always have the name & number of a reliable friend/Person or taxi service with you
- Always have Condoms with you
- If partying in groups… arrange a meeting point for a specific time or at the end of the event.
ILLEGAL
- Use of Illegal drugs is strictly prohibited.
CHOOSING & PURCHASING COSTUMES – The Process
- View Costumes & Packages at Mas Camp or On-Line. For Photos, Packages & Contact Info… Click Here!
- Â Choose costume/section
- Register by paying Registration Fee at Band House/Mas CampÂ
    (Measurements will be taken or can be provided by you at the Mas Camp during registration)
- Collection of costumes (Balance Due is paid at this time)
- Alterations
(Persons abroad, who will be arriving close to parade date, can make the necessary arrangements with the Band owner)
TIPS FOR CARNIVAL DAY / KADOOMENT DAY JUMP UP / FOREDAY MORNING JAM
Preparation:
Join a Gym… Exercise… Do lots of walking, especially pace-walking (at least two months before)
Jump Up Day
Band Assembly (Provided by Mas Band)
Grand Kadooment Date/Route/Start/etc… - Click here! Â
Tips
Have a big Breakfast before your day starts.
(Some mas band packages are inclusive of breakfast)
Wear comfortable shoes (if new… break them in before the day)
Drink plenty of water on the day and the day after. Â
(To avoid De-hydration try to at least drink one cup of water to every two alcoholic drinks)
Drink plenty of water the day after
(To replenish the body’s liquids after all the sweating and alcohol consumption)
Wear Sunglasses to minimize headaches from the all-day sunlight
Apply Sunscreen. (Apply before you leave home & before 11am… Sun Hottest: 11am – 3pm)
(Use waterproof sun-block with a high SPF Factor … 50 & Up for intensive sun exposure)
Apply Lip Balm or Lip Zinc.
Travel with a Fanny Pack/Pouch/Bag for storage. (Masqueraders)
Wear clothing with pockets (spectators/revelers)
Place monies in multiple pockets (spectators/revelers)
Don’t forget to apply your DEODORANT!!!
Suggested Contents for Fanny Pack/Pouch/Bag:
- Deodorant spray
- Antacid (Andrews or Eno Sackets)
- Antiseptic Dressing (Band-Aid/Plaster)
- Headache Pain Killers
- Sample size sun block
- Lip Balm/Lip Gloss
- Anti-Bacterial wipes
- Hand Sanitizer
- Safety pins
- Cash
- Any other little necessities for the day.
Important Precautions & Safety Tips for Masqueraders/Revelers!!!
- Avoid over exposing your money
- Avoid wearing expensive jewelry
- Avoid wearing Jewelry that attracts attention
- Avoid traveling dark lonely areas alone (especially females)
- Avoid taking drinks from strangers… unless employed by band. (females)
- Use a disposable camera
- Always have some form of ID with you
- Always have the name, address & number of where you are staying with you. (tourist)
- Always have a cell phone or a phone card with you
- Always have the name & number of a reliable friend/Person or taxi service with you
- Always have Condoms with you
- If traveling in groups… arrange a meeting point at a specific time or when you reach the Highway.
ILLEGAL
- Use of Illegal drugs is strictly prohibited.
- It is an offence for Persons not Registered in a Costume Band to intrude its barricades.
Things to Know when visiting the beach or venturing into the sea for the after Jump-up cool-down
- DO NOT go into the sea if you are intoxicated.
- Police & Rangers usually patrol the more popular beaches.
- Do not leave personal items unattended on the beach.
- Secure your valuables
- Obey the safety flags placed on the beach by lifeguards.
- RED FLAGS mean: Dangerous, no swimming
- YELLOW FLAGS mean: Caution, swimming conditions risky.
- Use brightly coloured gear and buoy/markers when snorkeling for your own safety.
- Avoid Beaches at Night.
- Where there are watersport activities, persons should be cautious when entering outside the area marked with orange coloured buoys
- Avoid taking Children to Beaches without Lifeguards.
- Watch-out for Sea Urchins, usually black with spines.
- DO NOT TOUCH the Manchineel Tree or its Fruits. (POISONOUS - Causes BLISTERS)
DO NOT STAND UNDER the Manchineel Tree when it's raining.
(liquid from tree may cause BLISTERING)
(The tree has green shiny leaves with a small apple-shaped fruit and is usually marked by red bands)
Tips for Females
- Apply a face moisturizer with a high SPF (50+) as well as sunscreen all over the rest of your body especially the shoulders and back.
- Travel with clear nail polish (to seal stocking runs)
- Consult with a make up counter for advice on brands that hold up well in heat and also for the best products for your skin type remember that oilier skins are more prone to make up “running.�
- Be prepared for “that time of the month.� Keep sanitary products in a small bag just in case you need them. No-one wants an accident on the road.
- Try to find tights / stockings / panty hose with lycra as these are stronger and will hold up better than regular sheers on the road.
- Underwear should be cotton, panty hose are already synthetic so a cotton thong will allow for air to circulate and avoid moisture being trapped.
- Do not forget to wax or shave if you decide not to wear stockings.
- For ladies with larger breasts use tape to keep your breasts from popping out of your bra while you are jumping up.
- Nipple pads are a good idea in the event it rains or if the material is very sheer.
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