Dominica to host 2nd Pays Yachting Festival, Know Schedule

Dominica is all set to host the highly anticipated 2nd Annual Pays Yachting Festival from March 24 to 31st, 2024. This 9-day long festival will be held on the gracious shores of Prince Rupert Bay in Portsmouth, under the theme, “Bringing yachters back together again in 2024”.  It will feature a bunch of packed activities to attract, engage with, and celebrate the best yachting and local culture. The festival aimed to boost the socio-economic growth of the nation and promote the beauty of this tiny natural island globally. The blend of cultural and recreational activities during the festival will showcase the authenticity and creativity of the local entrepreneurs.  [caption id="attachment_68822" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] Prince Rupert Bay, Dominica[/caption] Here are some glimpses of the activities held at Dominica's 2nd Annual Pays Yachting Festival 2024:

• Island tours
• Games nights
• Buy Dominica Love Local Market
• Open Class Fun Race
• Toucarie Seafood Lime Stand
• Creole jazz-themed party
• Entertainment Night
• Awards Ceremony
• Farewell Barbecue

This Annual Pays Yachting Festival will open on the island's picturesque shores with a welcome reception and Creole jazz-themed party on Saturday, March 23. This Creole jazz-themed party will include, speeches by officials, food and drink, music, dancing etc. Further, the Festival will include several special Dinners, Award ceremonies and cultural Entertainment Nights. The purpose of these events is to recognise and honour the contributions of Local Yatching sectors and yatchers across the island. Another highlight of this prestigious Annual Pays fest is Buy Dominica's “Love Local” Market. The market will present the visitors with a unique variety of Dominican products and services. In addition, the Toucarie Seafood Lime Stand will also enable the yatchers to enjoy and engage in this year's seafood lime. The Open Class Fun Race is also the most exciting event to be marked in this year's Pays Yatcher's fest. The race will take place from Portsmouth to Mero Beach on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, and the Yatchers will participate in beach activities and tourist attractions. They will also have to engage and connect with the residents of Mero Beach. Furthermore, the Farewell Barbecue is the final event of the week, which is scheduled to take place on Sunday, March 31, 2024. This is games night including a fundraiser jackpot bingo, and a sip and paint event along with an art auction. It features activities and opportunities including barbecue dinners, a lionfish dinner, and island tours, hiking tours, history tours, cooking tours among others.  [caption id="attachment_68823" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] Dominica's Annual Yacht Festival[/caption]

Here's the Complete Schedule for the 2nd Pays Yachting Festival, 2024:

Saturday 23rd March 2024: 

• Buy Dominica “Love Local” Vendors Market at PAYS
• Welcome Reception and Creole Jazz Party at Cabrits Cruise Ship Berth

Sunday 24th March 2024:

• Palm Sunday Church Services
• Buy Dominica “Love Local” Vendors Market at PAYS
• Lion Fish Hunt with Island Dive Operations
• Kayaking the Waitukubuli Sea Trail
• Kenneth Gussie Cultural Tour of Portsmouth
• Cabrits National Park/ Fort Shirley Historical Tour by Dr Lennox Honychurch –Dominican Historian
• Sunday Barbecue Dinner with Music and Dancing at PAYS.

Monday 25th March 2024:

• Lion Fish Hunt with Island Dive Operations
• Full Day Syndicate Tour, Nature Trail, Parrot Habitat, Milton Waterfalls, and Free-Up Farm.
• Skipper’s Briefing at PAYS for Open Class Fun Races
• Lion Fish Dinner, Movie, Music and Dancing at PAYS

Tuesday 26th March 2024:

• Open Class Fun Race (Leg 1) from Portsmouth to Mero
• Beach Activities at Mero Beach including Beach Volley Ball
• Dinner, Entertainment, Music and Dancing at Mero Beach

Wednesday 27th March 2024:

• Open Class Fun Race (Leg 2) from Mero to Portsmouth
• Indian River Row Boat Tour, and Bush Bar Lime at the Indian River Bush Bar, Restaurant, and Tropical Gardens
• Wednesday Barbecue Dinner and Open Class Fun Race Prize Giving, Music and Dancing at PAYS.

Thursday 28th March 2024:

• Full-day Northern Treasures Tour (with lunch) visiting Cold Soufriere, Bwa Neff Waterfalls, Calibishie Red Rocks, Chocolate Factory, Gin Distillery, and Paradise Valley Garden and Nursery.
• Games Night (Jackpot Bingo) at the PAYS.

Friday 29th March 2024: Voluntary Service Day includes

• Painting Project. 
• Food Hampers Distribution Project.
• Tree Planting Project,
• Beach Clean-Up Project.

• Time TBA Good Friday Mass at the Portsmouth Roman Catholic Church
• Toucarie Bay Seafood Lime

Saturday 30th March 2024:

• Saturday Morning Portsmouth Market and Local Cooking Tour Experience at PAYS
• Buy Dominica “Love Local” Vendors Market at PAYS
• Sip and Paint Event and Art Auction at PAYS
• Special Appreciation Dinner, Awards Ceremony, and, Cultural Entertainment Night at Cabrits Cruise Ship Berth

Sunday 31st March 2024:

• Easter Sunday Church Services
• Buy Dominica “Love Local” Vendors Market at PAYS.
• Farewell Sunday Barbecue with Music and Dancing at PAYS.