The Tribe Band Launch Is Done.

St. Lucia Carnival is Done.

And now many are looking at the FEATURED EVENTS listing and asking themselves, "What's next?"

Well, there are many options but one of them is not even a carnival BUT it should be on your "Carnival Bucket List." And just to let you know how serious it is, think about this.  It is NOT a carnival but it has been covered by TriniJungleJuice on several occasions. And as authorities on all things carnival, when TJJ covers something that is on an island and is NOT a carnival, that is reason enough to at least take a look at it. 

Therefore....................

As  carnival revellers of the world prepare for Caribana and Barbados, there are some who are making a different choice this year and looking forward to experiencing something different. 

Some are looking at Cup Match in Bermuda. 

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What Is Cup
Match?
============

For those who are asking, "What Is Cup Match?" well, I certainly cannot explain it better than it is explained on www.BermudaCupMatch.com so please read the excerpt below:

"Cup Match, a public holiday unique to the island of Bermuda, is a time in which the community enjoys a two day celebration of camping, boating, swimming and most importantly cricket. Every year, before the start of the Cup Match holiday, rival fans can be seen donning their team’s colours – red and navy for Somerset, pale blue and dark blue for St George’s in preparation for the big event. The venue for the game changes yearly as each side takes a turn in hosting Cup Match; this year the honour falls to St. George´s.

The forerunner to Cup Match was introduced after the abolition of slavery in Bermuda. Men from Somerset and St. George’s met in friendly rivalry and held celebrations of Emancipation by holding annual picnics to mark the anniversary of the abolition of slavery. One of the highlights from the picnics was a friendly cricket match played between lodges from the east and west ends of the island. In 1901, during a cricket match between two major Friendly Societies, an agreement was made to play for an annual trophy. Members of the Friendly Societies and Lodges raised funds and in 1902 a silver cup that was played for annually was introduced. Cup Match was officially born.

In 1947 two official national public holidays were introduced and held annually on the Thursday and Friday closest to 1 August. The first holiday, Cup Match, was renamed Emancipation Day in 1999 and continued the tradition of remembering the end of slavery. The second holiday, Somers Day, commemorated the arrival of Admiral Sir George Somers who colonized Bermuda in 1609. The two-day holiday became the annual two days of cricket for the cup – the Bermuda Cup Match.

However, Cup Match is so much more than cricket. Emancipation Day and the emancipation of slavery symbolizes one of the most significant moments in our history. Emancipation Day acknowledges a period in our history that shaped and continues to influence our society today. It is a time for reflection and rejoicing. It is a time for assessment, self-improvement and for planning the future. When the action was determined to abolish the practice of slavery we moved closer to the ideals of bringing our island community together." - Source: http://bermudacupmatch.com/history-of-cup-match/

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Bermuda Heroes
Weekend 2015...
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After attending Bermuda's carnival weekend also known as Bermuda Heroes Weekend, many left Bermuda with a desire to return once again. Some will wait for carnival in 2016 while others will attend Cup Match.

If it is your desire to attend Cup Match then there are many things that have to and should be done.  Outside of housing and travel arrangements which should be made already, one has to secure fete and boat ride tickets.

Because The Carnival Doctor is NOT an expert on Bermuda, I had to contact Stephen, "The Original Lime Flavour" and my main man Jason D'General Sukdeo for some advice on Cup Match and here's what they recommended.

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"What fetes should
I attend?"
==============

First and foremost, D'General informed me that although soca will be played at these events that one should not assume that the events will play only soca.  He assured me that these are parties and not fetes but some really damn good parties.

These are the parties that D'General recommends:

Monday, July 27th
Bacchanal Monday at Snorkel Park on the 27th

Tuesday, July 28th
Passion: The Boat Ride on Tuesday the 28th, 7pm-11pm

Wednesday, July 29th
Cup Match Summer Splash w/ Major Lazer

Friday, August 1st
Soca VS Reggae

Sunday, August 3rd
Annual Non-Mariners Race...
The original Raft Up! (minus the big truck on the barge!)

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Previous TJJ Cup
Match Coverage
==============

Cup Match 2012

Cup Match 2011

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What You Should
Always Do
===============

Since we are truly carnival experts at TriniJungleJuice, we can help you in making sure you have the best carnival experience possible.  What you should always do is check out our FEATURED EVENTS listing any time you are planning a trip, vacation or carnival experience. 

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Closing
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Enjoy your time in Toronto if you choose to go and make sure you stay safe, stay hydrated and DOH STICK stay on PACE!!

Blessings From Here To There,

Rhadi Ferguson, PhD
"The Carnival Doctor"

P.S. For the best information in the world concerning carnivals please visit www.TriniJungleJuice.com  For the most comprehensive site available for fete tickets and masquerader costumes, please visit www.MyCarnivalBands.com

P.P.S. For more information on how to properly prepare for carnival like a true veteran, please visit www.CarnivalPrep.com