Union Island is located
midway
between Grenada
and St. Vincent and is equidistant from Barbados, Trinidad and
Martinique.
Snorkellers will find good conditions on Lagoon Reef , which
protects most of the southern coast of the island, especially around
Frigate Island, just offshore from Ashton.
 Sun,
sea and sand lovers will enjoy Chatham Bay on the west coast (it is also
a protected anchorage) and Bloody Bay , on the northwest coast, with its
captivating view and long sandy beach, Big Sands is a crescent-shaped
beach on the east coast and is ideal for surfing. Richmond Bay on the
north coast,
 is
shallow and great for children.
Sights
Fort Hill, built sometime in the 17th century and located in the
northeast of the island. It is 450-feet high and has a panoramic
view stretching from St. Vincent in the north to Grenada in the
south. The Pinnacle is the highest mountain peak on the island at
995-feet and affords spectacular views. You have to be pretty fit
with a head for heights to do this. There are plenty of less
strenuous hikes such as over to Chatham Bay and through to Campbell
the historical Basket Pond.
Culture
Union Island has an impressive cultural background and the islanders
celebrate a surprising amount of festivals throughout the year. The
Roots Connection Culture Club (Tel: 458-8655 / 458-8700) is a newly
formed cultural group on the island whose aim is to preserve the
island's cultural heritage by practicing and developing their
cultural art forms of drumming, dancing, singing, story telling and
poetry.
Maroon Festival
The annual Union Island Maroon Festival is one of the most important
cultural events on the island. It is held every year in the month of
May, three days before or after the full moon. This festival marks
the start of the planting season, and contrary to popular belief, it
is not a festival held to herald in the rains. During the festival,
there is much pomp and celebration and the whole island seems to
become involved. There is the opening of the big drums ring and the
Nation Dance, which consists of six different dances performed to
the beat of six different drum rhythms along with traditional folk
songs.
Easterval
A four day festival held every year over the Easter weekend. It
features music, sporting competitions, pageants, parades and
marvellous local food. April 8th to 12th are the dates for the 2004
Easterval Festival.
The Cake Dance
The Cake Dance is performed when some one in the community is going
to be married. The ritual involves a lively dance with flags and
cakes. The dancers must always ensure that the groom's cake and flag
are always kept above the bride's, this signifies the traditional
dominance of the man in the home. |
