Mayreau’s annual picnic on Tobago Cays attracts largest crowd ever

What started as an annual August picnic for Mayreau residents in the Tobago Cays more than 30 years ago has been revived after a lapse of a few years, and is now a much anticipated outing.

And this year it was definitely ‘all ah we ting’ as picnickers came not only from Mayreau, but Union Island, Petit Martinique, Canouan and St Vincent.

This picture captures the ambience of the Cays with picnickers disembarking on Petit Rameau.

The picnickers traveled by speed boat, catamaran, sailing boats and other power boats, all converging on Petit Rameau, which has all the amenities, like BBQ grill and other basic infrastructure to host picnic events.

The catamaran “Ambience” took the majority of the picnickers in comfort from Mayreau to the Tobago Cays, while a local DJ entertained the well behaved crowd with some of the latest soca and Caribbean music.

Some brought hammocks, while others brought mats which they spread out under the many trees on the islet, where they unpacked their prepared foods and local drinks. The more adventurous hiked through the dense vegetation before dipping in the crystal clear waters of the Tobago Cays.

It was an accident free activity and when the picnickers returned to Mayreau, an after party was held on the jetty to finish off the food and drinks not consumed while in the Cays.

Secondary school students in Mayreau were given a live demo on how amateur radio works and its importance during times of emergency.

While on Petit Rameau, the picnickers played dominoes, danced to the sweet rhythms of Vincy and other music, while the children splashed merrily on the beach, the adults gyrating to the sweet DJ music.

According to one of the organizers of the event Munro Forde, when he was a child around seven years old he remembered the music during those picnics being string bands.

YRM Director Don De Riggs J88CD operating portable from Petit Rameau.

Claude and Jean Alexander, both elders of the Mayreau community also remember the Mayreau Day picnic as always being held during the month of August and was a much anticipated outing which entire families attended, sharing food and drinks among each other. Commenting on this year’s activity, all organisers agreed that it was the biggest event so far since it began many years ago, a tradition they hope to keep alive. (Report and photos contributed by: Donald De Riggs)