by Mell P
Grenada’s inaugural Lobster & Lambie Festival made waves across Carriacou and Petit Martinique this past weekend, drawing an enthusiastic crowd that exceeded all expectations. From January 16-18, the Grenada Tourism Authority transformed these sister islands into a three-day celebration of culture, cuisine, and community that attracted visitors from as far as Europe and as close as neighboring St. Vincent.
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The festival’s casual, come-as-you-are vibe, whether dressed up or straight from the beach, created an inclusive atmosphere where families, foodies, and festival-goers alike found their rhythm.
Day 1: Community Comes Alive
Friday night at Carriacou’s Fish Market set an intimate tone for the weekend. Locals, curious about what this first-ever festival would bring, quickly transformed their uncertainty into pure celebration. The energy was palpable as crowds danced to performances by Lady B, Mr. Gold’N, and the Carriacou Culture Train Stringband. The food vendors sold out early, a clear sign that the island was hungry for this kind of event.
Sen. the Hon. Adrian Thomas, Minister of Tourism, the Creative Economy & Culture said, “This is not just the launch of a new event on our calendar, it is the unveiling of a powerful new idea, n idea of who we are as a people, and how we intent o shape the future of tourism of Grenada, Carriacou ad petit Martinique as a whole.”
Grenada Tourism Authority CEO Stacey Liburd captured the festival’s deeper purpose: “By centering this festival around seafood, we are not only celebrating prized local delicacies, we are also recognizing the knowledge, the skill, the heritage of the people that harvest them, and the communities that sustain them. They create reasons to visit, drive spending and encourage longer stays, with tourism benefits being felt within the community.”
Day 2: Petit Martinique Turns Up
Saturday on Petit Martinique brought the festival to full scale. Music echoed across the water as boats docked, building anticipation with every step toward the shoreline setup. Five food vendors served up lobster, lambie, and fresh fish while Flex, Menti, 2 Blaxx, Shortpree, and Terra D Governor commanded the stage. Between performances, a beer-drinking competition entertained the adults while kids tossed water balloons for prizes.
The evening also featured a special preview of carnival season, as contestants for the 2026 Miss Carriacou and Miss Petite Martinique pageants were introduced to cheering crowds.
Day 3: Paradise Found
Sunday’s grand finale at Paradise Beach (voted Best Caribbean Beach 2022), lived up to its name. Crystal-clear waters and white sand provided the perfect backdrop for an expanded vendor lineup that left visitors spoiled for choice. Seafood soup, grilled lobster dripping with butter, lobster mac and cheese, lambie soup, steamed snapper, roasted potatoes, and fresh homemade juices created a culinary paradise. The legendary Mr. Grill arrived with an entourage bearing jerk lobster, making the eager crowd wait just a bit longer for his signature creation.
As the sun set, Young Chodi, Chelo, Sakinah and the Alpha 1 Band, Super Flying Flint, Slatta, Mr. Gold’n, and Dred Lion delivered electrifying performances. Dred Lion’s closing set, punctuated by a spectacular fireworks display over the Caribbean Sea, brought the first-ever Lobster & Lambie Festival to an unforgettable close.
