The Grenada Round-the-Island Race will be held 13-15 March at Garfield's Beach Bar on Grand Anse Beach. This year's event will continue a time-honored tradition of sailing competition and bring new family fun and entertainment to Grenada residents, sailors and tourists. Highlights of the weekend include the first ever A Taste of Grenada food festival as well as youth sailing and a Bath Tub Derby.

Today's modern Grenada Round-the-Island Race, as organized by the Grenada South Coast Yacht Club, is a combination of three traditional sailing events in Grenada's Sailing Calendar - the Girl Pat Feeder Race, from Trinidad to Grenada; the Round-the-Island Race; and the Easter Regatta. The predecessor to the modern Grenada Round-the-Island Race first took place in 1969 and was held until 1971. It was revived in 1990 and ran intermittently until 1999. A group of sailing enthusiasts revived the event in February 2002, when it was held as a single race.

The following year, 2003, saw the same group of young people aim higher with revival of Grenada's Easter Regatta, and its famous feeder race, the Girl Pat Race from Trinidad, blended with the hardened sailors' favorite - the Grenada Round-the-Island Race. The GSCYC was born that same year as the organizing body and host for the new Grenada Round-the-Island Easter Regatta.

For the past few years, these old sailing traditions, with a new twist, have challenged and entertained local, regional and even international yachtsmen, who have visited Grenada's shores for the express purpose of partaking in this event.

The year's event boasts the following weekend schedule:

Friday, 13 March: Registration, captain's briefing and welcome party.
Free dockage for all participating boats during the race weekend at Home Port, the brand new Camper and Nicholsons Port Louis Marina.

Saturday, 14 March:
Grenada Round-the-Island Race
One of the oldest sailing events in the Caribbean is back for another year.

Budget Marine Youth Sailing Exhibition
While seasoned sailors make their way around the island, Budget Marine will be hosting an event for youth to learn more about the joys of sailing.

Family Fun Beach Day
Families are invited to gather at Grand Anse beach for kid-friendly games such as tug of war, potato sack races and an egg toss.

Sunday, 15 March:
Bath Tub Derby
Sure to be a crowd pleaser, creative and ingenious participants can float their own version of a sailboat and compete for a grand prize.

Taste of Grenada
The first event of its kind on the island, A Taste of Grenada will feature a wide cross section of local vendors selling their delicious food, including several cooks from the popular Fish Friday and chefs from premier restaurants offering menu samplings.

Awards ceremony
A post-race party will include food, drinks and music as well as the anticipated ceremony where race winners are declared and prizes are awarded.

The 2009 Grenada Round-the-Island Race is shaping up to be one of the best events yet with a full two days of fun planned for the entire community. To learn more and register to compete in the race, visit www.aroundgrenada.com

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