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Easter In Cayman

Mar 1, 2010

Giving Thanks

Given the Islands’ Christian heritage, first and foremost came attending church to celebrate the Christian calendar’s holiest observances. From Good Friday through to Easter Monday – Cayman’s faithful filled the Islands’ churches, dressed in their finest Sunday best.

Easter Feasts

Celebratory feasts are part of the Easter tradition in Cayman and include traditional Caymanian food – plus some imported dishes, like glazed baked ham and macaroni and cheese, that have found their way on to the local Easter menu.

Camping on the Beach

For many, the celebratory dinners are consumed at the beach while partaking in Cayman’s most traditional of Easter activities – camping. Every Easter weekend sees family camp sites springing up on beaches across the Islands. From East End and North Side through to West Bay and everywhere in between, the perfect spots are staked out well in advance. From the night before Good Friday, tents are go up, ice chests are filled, barbecue grills are lit and families gather by the sea. At every camp site, there is lots of good food, cooked al fresco on grills, pit fires and gas-powered hot plates in heavy cast-iron pots. And there is never a lack of company. Many Caymanians circulate among a few camp sites – happily sampling the food, conversation and entertainment at each one before moving on to the next. Each happy camp site makes their own entertainment – from storytelling around a campfire, to strumming on their guitars or listening to music on portable sound systems, to splashing in the shallow waters close to shore.

Traditions in Common

As in other islands, kite-making and flying is a popular and traditional seaside activity every Easter – keeping the children busy and putting their imaginations and creativity into flight. And like so many other places around the world, Cayman’s children delight in chocolate rabbits, baskets full of candy and decorating Easter Eggs to later unearth in an Easter Egg hunt.

Catboat Regattas and The Million Dollar Run

Given Cayman’s maritime heritage, boating has always played its part in local Easter observances. In the old days, Catboat Regattas were held over the Easter weekend. And after a few lost decades, these races of Cayman’s traditional watercrafts saw a resurgence. The Cayman Islands Sailing Club holds an Easter Sailing Regatta featuring a range of different sailboats and levels of expertise. Highlights of this colorful event include a race to the Banks, a dinghy regatta, and a sail around the island to the North Sound. Not to be out done top-class power boats have taken over Easter Monday with the annual Million Dollar Run – which features a round-the-island race and prizes of both cash and prestige for the winners in various race classes. A show of power and speed on the water, the MDR attracts powerboat aficionados and fun seekers from around the world.

Easter Brunch

For those who prefer a quieter and more conservative Easter celebration, Easter Brunches at Cayman’s luxury resorts have become a special treat, with 5-star feasts laid out in resort restaurants and terraces along the Seven Mile Beach strip. At The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, Easter Festivities occur throughout the weekend and include the children’s favorite Easter Bunny Tea in the Silver Palm lounge hosted by the Easter Bunny himself. For those looking for a sophisticated Easter celebration, there is the lavish Easter Moet Champagne Brunch at “7” Restaurant on Sunday, April 4th. The whole family will love the Easter Family Brunch in the Cayman Islands Royal Ballroom - complete with cookie decorating and a mini petting zoo, followed by the time-honored Easter Egg Hunt on the Great Lawn.

Easter Bun

Although many fine delicacies are featured at these dining experiences, it is a more humble repast that must be mentioned in any discussion of Easter in Cayman – the venerated ‘Easter Bun ‘n’ Cheese.’ This traditional Caribbean spice bun traces back to the 17th century colonial English planters who brought their homeland custom of Easter buns with them to the West Indies. As with many things culinary, Caribbean cooks of African descent later greatly improved the original English recipe. Easter Bun can be found leading up to Easter weekend at supermarkets and grocery stores throughout the Cayman Islands.

Happy Easter in Cayman!