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A few years ago, Friday would be like any other night at Gros Islet, cars would be parked along the streets, and a few residents would wander around drinking “white-lightning” and playing dominoes in the local rum shops. But then some of the bars started putting loud speakers out on the streets to attract customers and the residents decided to close the main road to traffic to give them a little space to mingle and dance.
All that is long ago – today it is an institution – a joyful festival that blends the atmosphere of a carnival with a street fair. Music blares out from dozen of bars and the smell of grilled lambi and fried fish is everywhere, but which is none-the-less something unique – its “Friday night at Gros Islet”!
Word soon spread that Gros Islet was a fun place to be on a Friday night and locals and the occasional tourist would come by to enjoy the atmosphere. On a Friday evening now, when many other places are closing their shutters for the night, Gros Islet comes alive.
People start to arrive at about 9.00 p.m. The fresh fish, lambi and lobster led to a new way of life for many people in the village All along the streets smoke rises from a hundred little roadside stalls, where one can buy a wonderful variety of local delicacies – tender juicy conch served on homemade skewers, fish cakes, chicken, crispy fried fish, roast corn, baked goods, fresh fruit, and peanuts are all available. They opened restaurants to tempt tourists and islanders with these local delicacies It is a wonderful way to sample local food and very inexpensive.
There is a friendly, holiday atmosphere in the crowded streets. Even the roadside vendors with their coal pots and their barbecued chicken legs are busy.
Going to the village has become a regular weekend activity. Tourists mix and mingle with local people. They try a new drink, sample a new dish, or dance in the street to the lively music.
For those who do not like to eat standing up, many of the bars have put chairs and tables out on the street when one can sit and enjoy a beer with one’s food. People wander from bar to bar, drinking beers, talking, dancing in the streets, and generally enjoying the scene. By 10.30 the actions is swinging, and it will keep going well into the early hours of Saturday morning – a party not to be missed!
Gros Islet is now a town stretching from Bay Street to the busy highway, but under its thriving busy surface the village atmosphere survives.
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