Table of Contents Foreword... 1 International Events Schedule... 2 February... 2 March... 2 April... 2 May... 2 June... 2 July... 3 August... 3 September... 3 October... 3 November... 3 December... 3 Saba Official Public Holidays... 4 January 2018... 5 February 2018... 6 March 2018... 7 April 2018... 8 May 2018... 9 June 2018... 10 July 2018... 11 August 2018... 12 September 2018... 13 October 2018... 14 November 2018... 15 December 2018... 17
Foreword Saba is a small island that forms part of the Dutch Caribbean. Our little island has a rich cultural background and based on that it was decided to do a Calendar of Events 2018, and the goal behind of this is based on economics. The main goal for this booklet is to try as much as possible to assist in boosting the economic activities on the island. if we want to energize our economy we must have all of our main events well documented so that others will be aware of what the island has to offer year round. Several of the events that will be held during the year are already being carried out by various organizations and businesses and some are still in the infancy stages. The goal is to distribute this widely in order for tourist as well as locals to be aware of what the island has to offer. The hope is that this will be shared as much as possible and the effect will be beneficial for the entire island business community. S A B A C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S 2 0 1 8 - P a g e 1
International Events Schedule These are other very important dates as proclaimed by the United Nations, and some of them are recognized here on Saba by various organizations. February 4 th is World Cancer Day 13 th is World Radio Day 21 st International Mother Language Day March 3 rd is World Wildlife Day 8 th is International Women s Day 20 th is International Day of Happiness 21 st is World Poetry Day 21 st is World Syndrome Day 21 st is International Day of Forest 22 nd is World Water Day 23 rd is World Meteorological Day April May June 2 nd World Autism Awareness Day 6 th International Day of Sport for Development and Peace 7 th World Health Day 22 nd International Mother Earth Day 23 rd World Book and Copyright Day 26 th World Intellectual Property Day 28 th World Day for Safety and Health at Work 3 rd World Press Freedom Day 15 th International Day of Families 16 th International Day of Living Together in Peace 17 th World Telecommunication and Information Society 21 st World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development 31 st World No-Tobacco Day 1 st Global Day of parents 5 th World Environment Day 8 th World Oceans Day 12 th World Day Against Child labor 14 th World Blood donor Day 15 th World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 23 rd United Nations Public Service Day S A B A C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S 2 0 1 8 - P a g e 2
July 29 th International Day of the Tropics 15 th World Youth Skills Day 30 th International Day of Friendship August 12 th International Youth Day 19 th World Humanitarian Day 23 rd International Day for the remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition September 5 th International Day of Charity 8 th International Literacy Day 15 th International Day of Democracy 21 st International Day of Peace 27 th World Tourism Day 28 th World Maritime Day October 1 st International Day of Older persons 5 th World Teachers Day 9 th World Post Day 10 th World Mental Health Day 16 th World Food Day 17 th International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 24 th United Nations Day November 14 th World Diabetes Day 20 th Universal Children s Day December 1 st World Aids Day 3 rd International Day of Persons with Disabilities 5 th World Soil Day 7 th International Civil Aviation Day 10 th Human Rights Day 11 th International Mountain Day S A B A C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S 2 0 1 8 - P a g e 3
Saba Official Public Holidays Official Public Holidays as declared by the Executive Council of the Public Entity Saba for 2018. New Year s Day --------------------------------------------------------------- January 1 st Good Friday -------------------------------------------------------------------- March 30 th Easter Sunday ---------------------------------------------------------------- April 1 st Easter Monday --------------------------------------------------------------- April 2 nd King s birthday --------------------------------------------------------------- April 27 th Labour Day -------------------------------------------------------------------- May 1 st Ascension Day ---------------------------------------------------------------- May 10 th Pentecost ---------------------------------------------------------------------- May 20 th Carnival Monday ------------------------------------------------------------- July 30 th Saba Day ----------------------------------------------------------------------- December 7 th Christmas Day ---------------------------------------------------------------- December 25 th Boxing Day -------------------------------------------------------------------- December 26 th S A B A C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S 2 0 1 8 - P a g e 4
January 2018 Saturday 20 JAN January 2018 Hell s gate Triathlon The triathlon is a race that consists of swimming, cycling and running. The participants will swim in Fort Bay for 800 meters, cycle 7 kilometers from Fort Bay to the top of the Mountain Road, and consecutively run The Bottom Mountain Trail and the Sandy Cruz Trail. In 2017 the runners finished in Windwardside. In 2017 a grand total of 70 participants from Saba, St. Eustatius, Sint Maarten, Canada, United States of America and the Netherlands, over 40 volunteers and hundreds of spectators.? JAN January 2018 Saba Snorkelling Workshop A workshop will be held by the Saba Sports S A B A C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S 2 0 1 8 - P a g e 5
February 2018? FEB Black History Month During the month of February for the very first time a workshop will be organized on Black history month events. February 2018 S A B A C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S 2 0 1 8 - P a g e 6
March 2018 5-31 MAR March 2018 Riding the high seas to Saba Following the Heineken Regatta on Sint Maarten all efforts will be made to try and attract as many yachts to visit Saba. Thursday 8 MAR March 2018 International Women s Day In recognition of International Women s Day in 2018 the plans are to invite various Women of caliber from the region to come to Saba and hold a Women s Conference on various issues related to Women. The planning is that this Conference will start on March 8 th and end on March 11 th 2018. S A B A C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S 2 0 1 8 - P a g e 7
April 2018? APR Sunday 22 APR April 2018 Saba Restaurant Week Restaurant Week Saba started in 2016 and is a recurring culinary event with the intention of spotlighting the restaurants of Saba and encouraging all inhabitants and tourist of Saba to dine out and enjoy the good food Saba has to offer. During the week, food lovers can enjoy great lunching and dining experience for a fixed attractive price at all participating restaurants from the simplest eateries to the most exquisite ones on Saba. Get a taste of Saba s restaurant scene; you can feast on delicious multi-course menus all across the island. April 2018 World Earth Day Earth Day is celebrated annually with events worldwide in support of the environment and to raise awareness for the environmental protection and care of our planet. The Saba Conservation Foundation together with the Saba marine park will be carrying out their traditional Below and Above the sea cleanup campaign throughout the entire island with volunteers. S A B A C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S 2 0 1 8 - P a g e 8
May 2018 Tuesday 1 MAY Saturday 26 MAY May 2018 Agricultural Fair This fair will be held for the very first time. Farmers will be able to show off their produce and this will be also open for persons that are raising animals to showcase what they have. Agriculturist from some of our neighboring islands will be invited to come and lecture to our farmers and those interested in farming. May 2018 Ram Goat Competition Neighboring islands will be invited to come to Saba and compete for the first time.? MAY May 2018 Nesten Ecological Biennale project Saba 2018 International artist will exhibit. Local artist will be also invited to participate in this great event for the island. It will be an environmental project. The prestigious grounds of the Harry L. Johnson Museum will serve as the venue for the event. S A B A C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S 2 0 1 8 - P a g e 9
June 2018? JUN 18-23 JUN June 2018 Taste of Saba This is an event that will be featuring local foods throughout an entire weekend with music, food and as many local drinks as possible. All restaurants will be invited to participate in this great event. The weekend will have three segments. The first segment will be where all restaurants will be featuring their best cuisine, the second segment will be featuring strictly local dishes and drinks and the final segment will be one in which the various cultures on the island will be able to showcase their national dishes. June 2018 Shark Week During this week emphasis will be on the awareness of sharks as a key to healthy oceans. A variety of activities for adults as well as children will be organized. Shark week will be held from June 18 th to 23 rd. S A B A C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S 2 0 1 8 - P a g e 10
July 2018 23-29 JUL July 2018 Saba Summer Festival Saba Summer Festival is to be considered our annual carnival which is normally held in the last week of July. This year we will be celebrating our 43 rd anniversary and we look forward in inviting as many people from abroad to come and share into our event. Over the years our J ouvert morning has become very popular and we intend to invite people from overseas to come and participate in this great event which will be named the Go down, Go Up and Go down J ouvert Morning S A B A C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S 2 0 1 8 - P a g e 11
August 2018? AUG? AUG August 2018 Youth Conference This will be a conference in which young people from the neighboring islands will be invited to come and participate in. Various topics that the Youth feel is important to them will be chosen as the main topics to discuss. August 2018 Saba Tourism Conference Friday 31 AUG August 2018 Zee Best Karaoke Competition 2018 Karaoke singers from St. Maarten, St. Eustatius and other islands will be invited to come to Saba to compete in a Karaoke Competition which will be held at Scouts Place. S A B A C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S 2 0 1 8 - P a g e 12
September 2018 1-8 SEP Saturday 15 SEP September 2018 Saba Restaurant Week During the week, food lovers can enjoy great lunching & dining experience for a fixed attractive price at all participating restaurants, from the simplest eateries to the most exquisite ones on Saba. September 2018 International Coastal Clean-up day The day will be observed by the Saba Conservation Foundation and the Saba Marine Park. Sunday 30 SEP Saba Sea Food Day September 2018 S A B A C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S 2 0 1 8 - P a g e 13
October 2018? OCT October 2018 Sea & Learn Every year during the month of October, Sea & Learn hosts more than a dozen worldrenowned scientific experts for a month-long environmental awareness event. There are many exciting activities and ways to learn from casual evening presentations at local hotels and restaurants to hands-on field projects and interactive activities for students at the local schools. S A B A C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S 2 0 1 8 - P a g e 14
November 2018 2-4 NOV 20-24 NOV November 2018 Saba Lobster Fest The Saba Lobster Fest is a three-day culinary event held on the island of Saba during the first weekend in November. The event was created to entice our community and visitors to the island of Saba to experience our famous Saba Bank spiny lobsters. The Saba Bank is a unique shallow submerged atoll which lies between 3.5 and 4.2 nautical miles off Saba, and provides a perfect habitat for the spiny lobsters. The spiny lobsters from the Saba Bank are famous all over the Caribbean region there have been attempts to export Saba lobsters to as far as Hong Kong. Saba Lobster Fest offers fabulous lunch and dinner specials featuring our Saba Bank spiny lobster. Lobsterinspired specials will be offered by participating restaurants around our tiny island. November 2018 Children s Week Every year on the 20 th of November it is Universal Children s Day. To celebrate this special day the Public Entity along with other stakeholders offer a week filled with activities. The aim is to raise awareness on the Rights of the Child and to highlight the positive initiatives that already exist on Saba. S A B A C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S 2 0 1 8 - P a g e 15
Friday 30 NOV November 2018 Thanksgiving Service This event will be where the Government of Saba together with the various religions on the island will come together to give God thanks for sparing the island out of the hurricane season. S A B A C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S 2 0 1 8 - P a g e 16
December 2018 Friday Sea to Scener 7 y Race DEC Saturday 8 DEC December 2018 Saba Day Celebration On this day the community of Saba commemorates their national day and also their flag and coat of arms. This day is organized by the Government with the official activities. The Saba Day Weekend also features other events such as sports. Many visiting dignitaries travels to the island to participate in the events for the official day and many other groups comes to the island to participle in various other activities December 2018 Saba Wahoo Tournament The Saba Wahoo tournament is held annually during the Saba Day Weekend with participation of boats from Saba, St. Marten, St. Martin, St. Eustatius, St. Kitts/Nevis and St. Barths. Saba Rock Fishing Foundation is responsible for organizing this great event. Saturday 8 DEC December 2018 Johnny Cake Competition The Johnny Cake competition was started on Saba and there was much interest from amongst the population. This event was organized by the Saba Heritage Foundation. S A B A C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S 2 0 1 8 - P a g e 17
Sunday 9 DEC December 2018 Sea to Scenery Race International artist will exhibit. Local artist will be also invited to participate in this great event for the island. It will be an environmental project. The prestigious grounds of the Harry L. Johnson Museum will serve as the venue for the event. 14-23 DEC Saturday 15 DEC December 2018 Saba Lights Festival This event will be held from December 14 th until 23 rd. Private homes and business places can decorate their places and they will be judged by tourist. There will be a special Facebook page featuring all home and business places that will be participating in the festival. People can vote on the best decorated home or business place. This event can become a great tourist attraction. December 2018 Back yard gardening competition This competition will be where persons can sign up to participate in the Back yard Gardening competition. This project will be one in which persons will be able to win prizes for various categories in farming. S A B A C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S 2 0 1 8 - P a g e 18