There is usually a good deal of activity and posts on this site about Calabash especially in the week leading up to it. Things are strangely silent. Could someone say what's happening for those of us who aren't there.

Here's an article from today's Gleaner:

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120523/ent/ent1.html

also Calabash has a facebook page with updates.

What happened was that the Calabash Literary Festival grew and grew and became very popular with the literary world. Then one year the main sponsor (Jamaican Tourist Board) decided to pull out and the festival was cancelled. Then it was "on again" and then "off again". Now they are trying to recapture that "old magic", but it is not happening. Such a shame what happened to this festival, but typical of how things happen in Jamaica !
ONE LOVE !!
Mike

Hmmm MikeyMike, that's not quite what I heard as to the reasons but I guess it doesn't really matter. As far as the "old magic" I have to say I personally am getting pretty excited about the festival and every guest I have greeted over the last few days is pretty excited about the festival. I even have my parents here with me this year so they can experience the festival!

The sides of the roads have been trimmed down, there are lots of community folks out on the road today patching up pot holes not only for Labour Day but also in anticipation of the weekend. Every guest house, villa, and place with an extra room is getting cleaned and spruced up. The supermarkets and hardware stores have been busy in anticipation, and on and on.

The weather has not been cooperating so well. We've had very strong winds and overcast skies for at least 3 days now and today there is off and on rain. Every time I go to get my camera out it is pouring so sorry for no photos. Hopefully, I'll have some for tomorrow.

I guess the weather is even getting geared up for the weekend as Calabash Festival Weekend has a reputation of being a Calawash weekend. But don't worry. It won't dampen any of the spirits of us diehard fans of the festival!

Wish you all were here and could join us in this most amazing experience!

We are here for our 4th Calabash Festival and cannot wait for it to begin. Yes, we were disappointed that the festival was canceled last year...but thrilled beyond words that we get to experience it again this year.