Anguilla Guide to Events in August:
Anguilla Carnival, Road March & More Attractions

I do get a little red in the face when it comes to the topic of an Anguilla guide to Anguilla Carnival.

Despite years of traveling to the island, and years of living on the island, I have never really experienced Anguilla Carnival.

My first (and so far only) Anguilla Carnival was in 2002, when I was 14 years old.

But, I do know a lot about "Carnival!" I have heard countless stories about the hot, busy festival. Until I experience Carnival, here is what I have heard about this special Anguilla attraction...

The festivities are calling my name...

Anguilla Carnival's Big August Monday!

It's pre-dawn, it's August 1st and it's the first Monday of the month. Do you know what time it is? It's time for Jouvert Morning! Jouvert Morning is the big and loud kick-off to "August Monday," a day that is the height, nay the pinnacle of August Carnival in Anguilla.

The Valley streets awake early, and I mean pre-dawn, alive with the sounds of Soca and Calypso vibrating from popular local bands. Hundreds of people congregate in The Valley early Monday morning to prepare the August Monday parade floats, which carry these local bands. They get ready to travel for the "Road March" all the way from The Valley to Sandy Ground.

The local bands set up on their respective floats and drive down. If you're not in the band, you're following the trucks by foot! All are revved up and dancing in the streets from before 5am.

One of my close friends Kristin was recently in Anguilla for her first Carnival, and recalls hearing the music start up at 5am sharp. Whatever happened to "island time"? Nobody's using that clock on Jouvert Morning!

Kristin was energized by the upbeat music and celebratory people. Going back to bed was out of the question. Even at 5am!

The Anguilla Carnival Road March
Makes Its Way Down to Sandy Ground

Jouvert Monday draws you in and sends you down from The Valley to the best place to congregate and cool off, Sandy Ground.

The Road March is said to reach the Sandy Ground area around 10-10:30am and then continues on down the hill to its finish at Sandy Ground.

Starting at 5am, that's already 5 hours of Jouvert and it's still morning!

I'm exhausted just hearing about it! ;-)

Visting boats show up and drop anchor
for Anguilla's Carnival on Sandy Ground

Down on Sandy Ground, anchored boats line (or pack!) the bay's sandy shores. Boats come from all the nearby islands!

The beach has tents set up ready to serve hot, local food favorites like ribs and chicken, fries and Johnny Cakes, Heinekens and rum punches.

A nice cold bottle of water will cool you off, but a dip in the sea at Sandy Ground is how most people avoid the heat on August Monday.

Of the sights I saw at my 2002 Carnival, this one stuck with me the most!

Intermingled between the masses of boats and people, everyone finds their spot and gives a sigh of relief as the water refreshes and recharges. The next attraction? The August Monday boatrace.

This Anguilla event sure sounds fun, and a little wild too!

The August Monday boatrace is one of the two Anguilla boatraces that go completely around the island each year, the other being the Easter Monday boatrace. The race starts at Sandy Ground at 3pm, while the revelers continue to party and troll the beach.

Later in the evening the Road March bands perform in what's called the Caribbean Beach Party. This concert of several bands, dancers and musicians thumps late into the night, right in the sand at Sandy Ground.

All of that activity, and in just one day!

This is Only The Beginning of The Anguilla Guide to August Activities...

There is an Anguilla Attraction the next day, too! Tuesday, August 2nd - The CCB Talented Teen Pageant starts at 8pm at the Landsome Bowl. Tuesday is more of a day of rest until it's time to get to the Talented Teen Pageant. This calm day seems much needed, as there is plenty more coming up on Wednesday, August 3rd...

What is Anguilla Carnival's central theme, anyway? That's right, boatracing! During Carnival week, Anguilla can't go too long without another boatrace! ;-)

Another beloved boatrace is held at at 3pm at Sandy Ground on August 3rd . That night you can experience more lively music at the Calypso Monarch at 9pm at the Landsome Bowl in The Valley.

Racing boats line-up at Meads Bay for August Thursday race

August Thursday is another treat of a day, this time on Meads Bay.

The August Thursday boatrace takes off at 3pm from Meads Bay and returns to the very same spot for their finish. You can plan to spend most of the afternoon on Meads Bay.

There you can fill up on grilled ribs and chicken, as well as local flavors of ice creams and snow cones of soursop and tamarind just to name a few!

Meads Bay gets lively on
Anguilla's Carnival August Thursday

If standing around the hot grills for some ribs isn't for you, check out The Straw Hat on Meads Bay. It is one of our favorite restaurants, and a great spot to sit back with a cold beverage and take in the race from the shade.

Drive back to The Valley that evening for the Miss Anguilla Queens Pageant at the Landsome Bowl starting at 8pm .

Tired yet?

Well if you are, and if you are a hard-working local, you are in luck! August 5th is a National holiday - Constitution Day.

Friday, August 5th is also day for The Parade of Troupes which starts at noon. I hear it is such a colorful parade, and the Troupes wear the most beautiful costumes, many are hand-made and extremely intricate.

The Valley comes to life as the parade takes over and draws a crowd.

The end of Anguilla Carnival marks the real slow-down of Anguilla's off season. Once Carnival is over and food tents have been put away, and visiting boats have pulled anchor and returned home, the island quiets right down.

Several hotels and restaurants will stay open through August and close in September, but many do close for a couple of months starting mid-end of August.

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