A labor dispute has erupted at two major Kennedy’s Hardware locations in the region, after frontline employees launched formal industrial action to push for management recognition of their chosen union and address a raft of unaddressed workplace grievances. The walkout involves staff at both the All Saints Road store and the Newgate Lane outlet, marking a escalation of months of quiet frustration over working terms at the retail hardware chain. The majority of the workers participating in the action are women, who have raised repeated concerns over unfair working conditions, vague and inconsistent job descriptions, unmanageable workloads, and other ongoing issues that disrupt their daily job performance and work-life balance. After months of unaddressed internal complaints, employees collectively voted to designate the People’s Union as their official bargaining agent, with the goal of sitting down for structured, good-faith negotiations with company leadership to resolve their grievances. According to statements from the striking workers, however, company management has stonewalled their efforts at dialogue, flatly refusing to schedule any meeting or engage in formal talks with elected representatives of the People’s Union. With no path to negotiation remaining, workers say they had no choice but to launch industrial action to pressure the company to both acknowledge their core workplace concerns and formally recognize their right to be represented by the union of their choosing in all future bargaining discussions. As of Monday morning, company leadership has not released any detailed public response to the workers’ specific allegations. A spokesperson for Kennedy’s Hardware noted that the company is still reviewing the situation and intends to publish a full formal statement on the dispute later in the day.
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STATEMENT: Dominica Dementia Foundation in observance of World Alzheimer’s Day
September 22, 2026
Global public health data paints a stark picture of the growing dementia crisis gripping communities across every corner of the globe: according to new figures released by Alzheimer’s Disease International, a new case of dementia is diagnosed somewhere in the world every three seconds. Right now, more than 55 million people worldwide live with this neurodegenerative condition, and projections indicate that this total will surge to three times its current size by 2050 if no large-scale intervention is implemented.
But for Veronne Nicholas, president of the Dominica Dementia Foundation (DDF), the human weight of this crisis does not rely on global statistics to be felt on the ground in Dominica. In every local neighborhood, every school and every workplace, residents already see the quiet toll the disease takes on families across the island. “We each know someone, or a family, impacted by a loved one with dementia,” Nicholas emphasized in a recent public address.
Many people misread the subtle signs of dementia’s impact on daily community life, Nicholas explained. A chronically late high school student, or a coworker who consistently struggles to meet deadlines, is often unfairly labeled as unmotivated or lacking work ethic. In many cases, however, these challenges stem from the unspoken burden of caring for a family member living with dementia. As the condition progresses, this responsibility only grows heavier, pushing caregivers to balance work, education and family life with increasingly intense care demands.
To turn the tide on this growing public health challenge, Nicholas is calling for widespread public adoption of evidence-based prevention and intervention strategies. Early detection of dementia, she stresses, is one of the most powerful tools to improve long-term health outcomes for patients. Additionally, public health research confirms that consistent physical activity, ongoing social engagement, and regular mental stimulation can all significantly reduce an individual’s risk of developing the condition. Prioritizing heart health — including managing blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol levels — also delivers meaningful protective benefits for long-term brain health.
Above all, Nicholas is pushing for greater recognition and support for the millions of unpaid family caregivers who bear the majority of care responsibilities for dementia patients worldwide. “They matter just as much as the patients they care for,” she said, urging local communities, governments and global health organizations to step up and provide the resources, respite and recognition that caregivers need to sustain their critical work.
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Gajadien en Pawiroredjo willen automatische koppeling salaris president schrappen
Two members of Suriname’s National Assembly (DNA), Asiskumar Gajadien and Jerrel Pawiroredjo, have tabled a private member’s bill on Monday that would break the long-standing linkage between the presidential salary and the pay of senior civil service department directors. The legislation, if approved, would mark a major shift in how the top executive’s compensation is set, prioritizing parliamentary oversight and fiscal accountability in the South American nation.
Under the current regulatory framework, which was formalized in the 2024 Law on Financial Provisions for the President and Vice-President of the Republic of Suriname, the president’s pay automatically rises or falls in line with changes to the salary of a General Service Department Director. This automatic adjustment mechanism means the National Assembly is not required to vote separately on any modifications to the presidential salary when civil service pay scales are updated. The new bill seeks to end this indirect adjustment process entirely.
If passed, the proposed legislation will set a fixed monthly base salary of 270,000 Surinamese dollars (SRD) for the president directly in law. The existing proportion for the vice-president’s salary will remain unchanged, with the vice-president continuing to receive 75% of the president’s monthly pay – equal to SRD 202,500 under the proposed base rate. While the old benchmark of four times a General Service Department Director’s salary will be retained as an indicative reference value, it will no longer trigger automatic changes to the presidential salary when the civil service figure is adjusted.
Under the new framework, any future change to the president’s salary will require a full new legislative process and approval from the National Assembly. When considering future adjustments, lawmakers will be required to take into account multiple relevant factors, including national price inflation and changes in household purchasing power, public sector salary trends across the board, and the current fiscal and budgetary position of the Surinamese state. The bill also mandates that a full review of the presidential salary must be conducted at least once every three years, though even a scheduled review will not automatically result in a pay increase – any adjustment still requires a separate parliamentary vote.
The push for decoupling comes amid renewed public and political debate over salary adjustments for senior political officeholders in Suriname. The existing law governing presidential and vice-presidential financial provisions was only passed in November 2024 and published as S.B. 2024 no. 159. Notably, this is not the first attempt to amend this legislation this year: an earlier private member’s bill was submitted to the National Assembly on February 23, 2026, which focused on revising the pay structure to align with the principle of pay equality. Unlike the earlier proposal, the new bill from Gajadien and Pawiroredjo specifically targets the elimination of automatic pay pass-through from civil service salaries to the presidency, arguing that hikes for lower-level administrative posts should not automatically translate to higher pay for the head of state.
The bill’s sponsors argue that the new structure will strengthen three core pillars of democratic governance: parliamentary oversight of executive compensation, greater transparency for public finances, and tighter budgetary discipline for the state. By requiring explicit legislative approval for any change to the presidential salary, the proposal aims to give elected representatives direct control over the executive’s pay, ensuring all adjustments are debated publicly and aligned with the country’s broader economic conditions.
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Gros Islet cricket tournament to bowl off in October
After a 12-month hiatus, top-tier competitive cricket is making a much-anticipated comeback to the Caribbean district of Gros Islet this October, anchored by a four-team Twenty20 tournament and an ambitious new initiative designed to nurture the district’s next generation of cricket talent.
The Gros Islet Cricket Association (GICA), the organizing body behind the revival, recently completed a player draft that brings together a diverse mix of athletes: promising up-and-coming prospects from grassroots cricket programs, established players from local amateur clubs, and experienced senior team members, creating a blended competitive structure that prioritizes both performance and development.
GICA Chairman Joseph Hall emphasized the significance of the restart, noting that the district had been unable to host its annual domestic tournament in 2023. “We didn’t have a tournament last year. So this year we restarted our domestic competition,” Hall said. “We are trying our best to get all of our local players, our Under-19 players, our grassroots players, involved in the tournament.” The draft and tournament structure were intentionally built to ensure emerging young talent gets meaningful competitive exposure alongside more seasoned athletes, rather than being sidelined in lower-tier exhibition matches.
In a departure from past events, GICA is also welcoming eligible players from outside the Gros Islet district to join the four competing franchises. Beyond on-field talent development, the association is also investing in growing the sport’s off-field infrastructure by training new scorers, umpires, and other game officials, addressing a longstanding gap in local cricket administrative capacity.
Each of the four tournament franchises will be led by a high-profile local cricket figure: batsman and wicketkeeper Dominic Auguste, top-order batsman Jard Goodman, versatile allrounder Lee John, and former West Indies Under-19 national captain Kimani Melius.
Alton Crafton, head coach for the initiative, outlined the overlapping development pathways for the district’s young talent. Gros Islet’s Under-19 squad is already competing in a series of longer-format matches as part of the ongoing Saint Lucia National Cricket Association (SLNCA) Super 50 tournament, and Crafton confirmed that the October T20 tournament may also add additional longer-format development matches to help young players build skills across all forms of the game.
The revival of domestic cricket in Gros Islet comes on the heels of a historic run of success for the district’s programs in recent years. Local Gros Islet squads have claimed three major regional titles, including the Sandals Under-19 Tournament, the Saint Lucia Premier League, and the SLNCA Two-Day Men’s Tournament, demonstrating the strength of the district’s existing cricket foundation and building momentum for the 2024 comeback.
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Four students head to US boarding schools through MDC study programme
A landmark educational opportunity is about to open new doors for four young Caribbean scholars, who have earned coveted spots in the 2026 boarding school cohort of the Marigot Development Corporation’s (MDC) U.S. Study Programme. As the award-winning initiative enters its 14th year of expanding regional access to global education, it is also adjusting eligibility rules in response to shifting U.S. immigration policies.
According to an official press statement from MDC, the four incoming students — Gabrielle St. Jean, Abria Bannis, Kherna Stevens, and Nkosi Woodley — will spend the next three years completing their secondary education at elite boarding institutions across the United States. Each scholar has been placed at a different school tailored to their academic and personal goals: St. Jean will enroll at Oregon Episcopal School in Portland, Oregon; Bannis will join Grand River Academy in Ohio; Stevens will attend Wayland Academy in Wisconsin; and Woodley will pursue studies at St. Mary’s School in North Carolina.
More than just a chance to study abroad, the MDC U.S. Study Programme is designed to deliver holistic growth for emerging regional leaders. Beyond core academics, the boarding school experience is structured to build critical interpersonal skills, nurture confident leadership, and expose participants to diverse cultural perspectives that broaden their worldviews. The program also acts as a structured pathway to future higher education, preparing students competitively for admission to top universities across the United States and beyond, with the end goal of developing capable, globally minded citizens ready to contribute to their home communities.
MDC officials emphasized that the success of this year’s selected students dispels myths about limited opportunity in the region, proving that young people from Dominica and the wider Caribbean can thrive on global academic stages when given access to quality, tailored educational opportunities. The organization extended formal congratulations to the four students, as well as their parents, families, teachers, and community mentors who supported them through their application and preparation journeys.
As the 2026 cohort prepares to depart for their U.S. campuses, MDC has already scheduled the launch of the next application cycle, set to open on Saturday, September 26, 2026. Over its 14 years of operation, the program has supported roughly 120 students in accessing life-changing educational opportunities across the United States, ranging from secondary boarding school placements to undergraduate university placements and other immersive academic experiences. Today, MDC’s growing network of program alumni stands as a testament to the initiative’s long-term impact, and the transformative power of creating access to opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach for many talented regional youth.
In a key policy update for prospective applicants, MDC announced that holders of Dominican and Antiguan passports will not be eligible for the upcoming intake, a change implemented in response to recent shifts in U.S. immigration and visa eligibility rules. The organization encouraged all interested students and family members who meet eligibility criteria to reach out to program administrators via WhatsApp at 767-612-2248 for further details on eligibility requirements and the application process.
Reaffirming its core mission, the MDC U.S. Study Programme shared in its statement: “We look forward to welcoming the next generation of students and continuing our commitment to expanding educational opportunities for talented young people across the region.”
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Cherissa Roberts Thomas Appointed Magistrate, Veronica E. Thomas Elevated to Senior Magistrate
Antigua and Barbuda’s judicial branch is receiving a targeted boost, following the confirmation of two key judicial appointments that went into effect on July 1, 2026. Veteran legal professional Cherissa Roberts Thomas has joined the Magistracy as a Magistrate for the Family Division, while long-sitting judicial officer Veronica E. Thomas has been elevated to the role of Senior Magistrate.
Roberts Thomas brings more than 24 years of specialized legal experience to her new post, building a distinguished career across private practice, legal leadership and community service. She earned an Upper Second-Class Honours Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Wolverhampton, followed by a Legal Education Certificate from Jamaica’s prestigious Norman Manley Law School. In 2002, she was formally admitted to the Bar of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court in Antigua and Barbuda, marking the start of her public-facing legal work.
After eight years working in established private practices, Roberts Thomas launched her own independent law firm, C. Roberts Thomas & Associates, in 2010, leading the practice as Founder and Managing Attorney for more than 15 years. A committed leader within the local legal community, she has held multiple governance roles within the Antigua and Barbuda Bar Association, culminating in her service as the organization’s President from 2022 to 2025. Her professional credentials also include certification as a court-appointed mediator, with a particular focus on family law mediation. Outside of her formal legal work, Roberts Thomas has long volunteered with community and non-profit groups dedicated to local development and equitable social progress. Officials note that her diverse background in legal practice, mediation, leadership and community outreach will bring valuable perspective to the Family Division, which handles sensitive legal matters impacting families and children across the islands.
In a parallel change to the Magistracy leadership, Veronica E. Thomas has been promoted to the position of Senior Magistrate, with her appointment officially taking effect on November 14, 2025, ahead of her assuming duties at the St. John’s Magistrate’s Court in July 2026. First called to the Antigua and Barbuda Bar in October 1998, Thomas brings nearly 30 years of legal and judicial experience to her new role. She joined the judicial bench in 2012, and made history as the first ever Magistrate assigned exclusively to Antigua and Barbuda’s Family Court Division. Prior to her judicial career, Thomas held public legal roles including Crown Counsel and Assistant Registrar of the High Court, before entering private legal practice. She has also contributed to policy and operational work across multiple committees of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, and holds active membership in the Eastern Caribbean Association of Women Judges. Like Roberts Thomas, she is a trained mediator specializing in both civil and family law matters. In her new capacity as Senior Magistrate, Thomas will oversee criminal and civil cases across the court’s Districts A, B and C.
Attorney General Sir Steadroy C. Benjamin has publicly welcomed both appointments, emphasizing that the expanded leadership team will strengthen the Magistracy’s overall operational capacity. Benjamin highlighted that the changes are designed to cut down on long-standing case processing delays, and improve equitable access to justice for all Antigua and Barbuda citizens. He offered official congratulations to both jurists, wishing them continued success in their new roles as they support the fair and efficient administration of justice across the country. Officials confirmed that the two appointments are part of a sustained, multi-year government initiative to reinforce Antigua and Barbuda’s judicial framework, ensuring all matters brought before the Magistrate’s Court are resolved in a timely, fair and transparent manner.
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National Seminar to prepare Dominica’s livestock farmers for expanded poultry and pig production
Against a backdrop of growing global focus on strengthening local food systems and boosting national food security, the Commonwealth of Dominica is set to convene a landmark two-day professional gathering focused on advancing its domestic livestock sector. Scheduled for September 22–23, 2026, the National Seminar on Poultry and Pig Production is being organized by the Livestock Development Unit under the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy, in partnership with two key regional and local stakeholders: the East Caribbean Group of Companies (ECGC) based in St. Vincent, and Jireh Animal Health Center, Dominica’s local agricultural input distributor. The event will take place at the St. Alphonsus Parish Hall, carrying a clear, mission-driven theme: “Produce Local, Consume Local, Secure the Future.”
Organizers project that roughly 85 attendees will participate in the seminar, representing a cross-section of the island’s agricultural ecosystem. These participants include active poultry and pig farmers, entrepreneurs looking to enter the local livestock production space, key agricultural sector stakeholders, government technical extension officers, and suppliers of agricultural production inputs. Beyond being a simple informational workshop, the seminar is a core preparatory step for the upcoming full launch of operations at Dominica’s new National Poultry and Pig Abattoirs, facilities designed to transform the island’s domestic livestock processing capacity.
The central goal of the event is to equip local producers with the knowledge and tools needed to align their operations with the new abattoirs’ strict requirements across four key areas: production volume, product quality, animal weight standards, and output consistency. The capacity of the new facilities underscores just how critical a consistent, high-quality local supply is: the national poultry abattoir is built to process up to 1,000 birds per hour, while the dedicated pig abattoir can handle 50 heads of swine per day. Without a steady stream of locally raised animals meeting the facilities’ standards, these new public investments cannot reach their full potential to support the domestic economy.
Seminar sessions will combine structured presentations and interactive collaborative discussions, covering a comprehensive range of topics critical to modern, profitable livestock production. Core thematic areas include optimized commercial farm management, science-backed animal nutrition and disease prevention, rigorous biosecurity protocols to prevent costly disease outbreaks, strategies to improve feed efficiency and reduce production costs, long-term and short-term production planning, alignment with domestic and regional market quality standards, and the development of stable, reliable supply cycles that meet abattoir and consumer demand.
Beyond delivering targeted training to individual producers, the seminar is designed to advance a broader structural goal: organizing fragmented local producers into a coordinated, formalized supply system that can reliably serve the new abattoirs. After the conclusion of the event, the Ministry of Agriculture has laid out a clear follow-up plan to extend the impact of the seminar. Ministry teams will work one-on-one with interested farmers to develop customized production plans, deliver ongoing on-site technical support, and implement regular farm monitoring to help producers implement the knowledge gained at the event. The government also plans to strengthen cross-stakeholder collaboration between producers, technical experts, input suppliers, and the abattoir management teams to create a more integrated, efficient local livestock value chain.
In a public statement encouraging participation, the Ministry emphasized that the seminar represents a unique opportunity for both existing and aspiring livestock producers to build skills, connect with industry partners, and contribute to a larger national goal. By expanding local poultry and pig production, strengthening the overall competitiveness of the domestic livestock sector, producers will play a direct role in advancing Dominica’s long-term food and nutrition security, reducing reliance on imported animal products, and strengthening the island’s rural economy.
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Nazar “Shell” Mohamed denies knowing Justice Gino Persaud
On Monday, September 21, 2026, Nazar “Shell” Mohamed, a billionaire Guyanese businessman currently wanted by the United States to face trial for alleged financial crimes alongside his son Azruddin, issued a public statement pushing back against growing public speculation over an alleged improper relationship with High Court Judge Gino Persaud, who recently ruled in their favor in a high-stakes civil tax case.
In the carefully worded statement, the elder Mohamed sought to eliminate all ambiguity surrounding the pair’s connection to the judge, emphasizing that he and his son have never met Persaud, either during his prior career as a private attorney or his tenure on the High Court bench. Mohamed stated that Persaud has never engaged in any business dealings with the father-son pair, and the two parties share no personal, professional, or social ties of any kind. The only link between them, Mohamed confirmed, is that legal matters involving his family were assigned to Persaud in his official capacity as a sitting High Court judge.
Persaud, who delivered a ruling favorable to the Mohameds in the multimillion-dollar civil tax evasion case, was recently blocked from boarding a flight bound for Jamaica – where he planned to attend a judicial conference with a transit stop in Florida – after learning his U.S. visa was placed under official review. As of Monday, Persaud has not made any public comment on the visa situation or the broader controversy surrounding the case.
The elder Mohamed drew a direct connection between the judge’s visa troubles and fierce public criticism of Persaud leveled by Guyana’s top government officials following the tax ruling, which centered on luxury vehicles including a Lamborghini and a Ferrari owned by the Mohamed family. President Irfaan Ali, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, and Attorney General Anil Nandlall all publicly condemned the ruling, adding to a longer pattern of public pushback against the judge from senior government figures.
Against this backdrop, which also includes the Guyanese government’s hiring of U.S.-based lobbyists to tie the Mohameds to ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Nazar Mohamed said he has growing doubts that he and his son will receive a fair adjudication of their ongoing legal matters in Guyana’s domestic court system. He argued that the visa issue creates a coercive chilling effect that could intimidate sitting judges from ruling in the pair’s favor out of fear of professional or personal repercussions.
“Judicial independence demands that a judge be able to reach a decision rooted exclusively in applicable law and presented evidence, free from concern over which parties will be angered by the outcome or what consequences may follow that ruling,” Mohamed said. “No judge should be forced to question whether a ruling against the government will put their career, their ability to travel internationally, their reputation, or their personal life at risk.”
Notably, Mohamed was once a prominent public supporter and financial backer of the governing People’s Progressive Party Civic, the current ruling party in Guyana. The Mohameds first drew international legal scrutiny in June 2024, when the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control imposed formal sanctions on the pair over allegations of tax evasion connected to gold exports from Guyana. They now also face an 11-count grand jury indictment in U.S. Federal Court for the Southern District of Florida, which charges them with wire fraud, money laundering, and mail fraud tied to their formerly registered gold trading business.
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Eleven Officers Complete EMT Recertification Training
In a major step to boost the country’s emergency response capabilities just weeks ahead of a high-profile international summit, 11 officers from the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda’s fire and regular divisions have successfully graduated from a rigorous Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) recertification program. The five-day intensive training course was hosted by the American University of Antigua (AUA), and concluded ahead of the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) scheduled to be held in the nation.
The program was structured to refresh and expand participants’ foundational theoretical knowledge and hands-on practical skills for pre-hospital emergency medical response. Beyond skill-building, the curriculum also reinforced core professional values including continuous improvement, clinical accuracy, operational efficiency, cross-team collaboration, and consistent emergency preparedness. A central theme of the training, “Unlearn to Relearn”, underscored the evolving nature of emergency medical protocols: instructors emphasized that best practices in pre-hospital care are constantly updated, requiring first responders to remain open to new approaches, revised techniques, and shifting professional standards to deliver optimal care.
Dr. Courtney Lewis, Director of the Emergency Medical Training Centre, opened the program by urging officers to uphold strict standards of readiness, telling participants to “practice until it becomes instinct.” He repeated the call for ongoing collaboration and sustained professional development as non-negotiable pillars of effective emergency medical intervention.
Vivian Parker, who serves as both Fire Chief and Deputy Commissioner of Police, stressed the life-or-death stakes of high-quality EMT training for frontline first responders. “When an emergency strikes, the knowledge and skills these officers carry are the difference between life and death for those affected,” Parker said. He also extended formal gratitude to the nation’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) team for their critical support throughout the training period, specifically recognizing two EMS personnel who were temporarily reassigned to the Airport Fire Outpost Station to cover response duties while fire officers completed their coursework.
Royal Police Force Commissioner Everton Jeffers officially congratulated the 11 graduating officers—Jess Bristol, Akeem Finch, Brad Benjamin, Darius Ambrose, Julion Daniel, Leona Ogarro, Orson Joseph, Tammie Ann Brookes, Tijahma Burns, Tyrell Benjamin, and Xavier Fernes—on their successful completion of the program. Jeffers urged the officers to immediately apply their updated knowledge and refined skills in their daily frontline duties.
The top police official noted the timing of the recertification initiative is particularly strategic, as Antigua and Barbuda makes final preparations to host CHOGM, an event drawing global heads of state and thousands of attendees in just a few weeks. “Emergency preparedness, and the ability of our first responders to deliver fast, effective medical care when it is needed, is a core component of the Royal Police Force’s overall readiness for an event of this national and international importance,” Jeffers explained. He closed by thanking program facilitators, EMS staff, and all stakeholders who contributed to the successful execution of the recertification training.
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Dominica’s Creole season set to deliver a month of music, culture and community events
The Caribbean island nation of Dominica is preparing to welcome visitors and locals alike to a months-long celebration of Creole heritage, culture and creativity in 2026, with a full schedule of events spanning from the start of October through the first week of November. Moving far beyond the compressed single-weekend festival format of past years, this expanded 2026 Creole season will fill 33 days with curated experiences ranging from live musical performances and culinary showcases to community gatherings and traditional cultural competitions, giving attendees more opportunities than ever to engage with the island’s vibrant Creole identity.
The celebration will kick off on October 3 in the coastal village of Mahaut, where the Belles Combo Benefit Concert will set the festive tone for the weeks ahead. Just one day after the opening concert, the Flavours of the World Festival will invite guests to sample a diverse mix of local and international cuisine, highlighting the fusion of culinary traditions that shape modern Dominica. Mid-October will bring the President’s Charities Foundation Fundraising Dinner on October 10, followed by the lively NDFD Creole in the Streets public celebration on October 16. Two days later, the island will mark Rize N Shine and Heritage Day to honor the ancestral roots of Creole culture, before launching the immersive Ti-Vilaj Kweyol: Tout Biten Dominik village experience at the island’s iconic Botanic Gardens from October 19 to 22. The pre-festival lineup also includes long-standing fan favorites: the Miss Wob Dwiyet traditional pageant, the cultural observance of White Sunday, and a series of gospel performances tied to Dominica’s upcoming Independence celebrations.
The undisputed centerpiece of the 2026 Creole season will be the 26th edition of the World Creole Music Festival (WCMF), which will return to its longtime home at Windsor Park Sports Stadium from October 23 to 25. This landmark annual event draws top Creole music acts from across the Caribbean and around the globe, attracting international tourists and music lovers to Dominica each year. To complement the main festival performances, organizers have filled out the mid-season schedule with a range of auxiliary events: the Prime Breakfast community gathering in Morne Daniel on October 23, the casual Pour Decisions Brunch on October 24, and the coastal Kweyol Bod La Mer celebration on October 25.
Once the World Creole Music Festival wraps up, the celebration will continue through the end of October and into November with a diverse lineup of smaller community-focused events. From October 26 to 30, the Bwè Dominik Fest will take over Le Village Beach Club in Canefield, offering ongoing live music and local craft beverages. Creativity will take center stage at the GEMS Artisan Market on October 28 and 29, where local makers will showcase handcrafted goods, art and traditional textiles. The same day will see the Madam Wob Dwiyet competition held at the Massacre Indoor Facility, extending the pageant traditions of the season. October 29 will host the premiere of the new local production “Rebel & Jango”, before the island marks Creole Day and officially launches preparations for the 2027 Mas Dominik carnival on October 30.
The final stretch of the expanded season will bring a series of regional and national celebrations leading up to Dominica’s Independence Day. Fete La Pwent will run from October 30 to November 1, with Wato Dominica taking place on October 31 and the Ediflor Creole Edition cultural event kicking off in Giraudel on November 1. The full Creole season will conclude with three major closing events: a lavish Cultural Gala held at the Botanic Gardens, official Independence Day celebrations at Windsor Park Sports Stadium on November 3, and a nationwide Community Day of Service on November 4 that invites locals to give back to their neighborhoods to cap off the season of cultural pride.