This Regatta Knows How to Party

The St. Maarten Heineken Regatta will celebrate its 37th edition this year on March 2-5, 2017. Besides offering four days of racing amid the scenic surroundings of this Dutch and French paradise, they are big into parties too. In fact, this event is so into parties they are now imposing a cover charge.

Major improvements to the concert staging as well as the deluxe VIP decking that will enhance the overall experience of the nightly concerts, organisers told The Daily Herald.

On Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, the venues will continue to be free to the public but the Sunday night event on March 5 will for the first time have a US $20 admission fee for the general public.

“The admission fee on Sunday is a necessary step to ensure the sustainability of the event here in St Maarten for many years to come. This event attracts thousands of visitors annually to our shores, and it provides an incredible value to virtually every business on the island,” according to a statement from the Regatta organizers.

Entrance to the concert on Sunday is included in the entry fee for registered sailing participants and active volunteers will also receive complimentary passes to the venue on Sunday.

Regatta organisers continue to improve on their winning formula and energetic vibe of hosting a world-class sailing and music event. The entertainment and musical acts have been booked, the venues have been confirmed, and the sailors are rushing to enter to race in the Caribbean’s largest sailing event. The Regatta, known as the largest warm-water regatta in the world, is set to host more than 5,000 visitors to the island.

John Leone of International Liquors & Tobacco stated, “We are thrilled to be able to provide such a great line-up this year, which will feature UB40, Collie Buddz and Mya as highlights of a world-class entertainment roster. Every year we strive to make the event better than the previous and with that comes change. We know that everyone will walk away with an experience that will last them a lifetime and that is what the event is all about.

“Serious Fun is the event’s motto and it’s also something we take to heart and strive to achieve each and every year. We hope everyone enjoy the sailing, the parties and our wonderful island of St Maarten. They all go hand in hand and make this event truly unique.”

Thursday, March 2 officially starts off the regatta festivities with a night of music. Thursday’s GreenSensation will showcase a collaboration of the island’s top four DJs: Cut creator DJ Outkast, DJ Bossman, DJ Big Boss and DJ Em. With the aim of blending the crowd’s desires with the DJs’ talents, the audience will be active in choosing what music will be played during the night’s festivities.

The Princess Port de Plaisance venue will host several food vendors and plenty of bars to keep attendees hydrated during the night. This is a fun and interactive party to experience and is free to the public.

Friday, March 3, will showcase Philipsburg at the Boardwalk Boulevard venue. A partnership with the Harbour Group of Companies makes the evening of “St. Maarten by Sea” possible, carrying the event along the entire stretch of Boardwalk Boulevard.

The sounds of the Island’s best musicians, including Xplosion Band, and Exodus band from Anguilla will be featured along with local artisans, groups and organisations that can showcase and sell their work at Boardwalk Market, a concept introduced in 2016 and being repeated, by popular demand.

The Saturday, March 4, event “St. Maarten by Air” is in collaboration with Princess Juliana International Airport SXM. In addition to some great musical talents, the night will be filled with aerial highlights and stunts and many more surprises. Caribbean dancehall and reggae sensation Collie Buddz and Antiguan singer Asher Otto and Itchyfeet will highlight the evening, which will prove to be full of surprises. Admission for the night’s entertainment is free to the public.

The party on Sunday, March 5 is named “Legendary Party” and will be the final event. The organisers have already announced they have secured legendary reggae band UB40 featuring Ali, Astro and Mickey for the final show. Also making a special appearance Sunday night will be Grammy Award-winning R&B artist Mya.

The sole purpose of the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta is to create an international sailing and music event that highlights the island of St. Maarten/St. Martin and attracts visitors to the many hotels, restaurants and cultural highlights that this two-nation island has to offer.