Bonaire International & Local Fishing Tournament 2016. It gives us great pleasure to invite you to our “28th Bonaire International…
JANUARY
Bonaire International & Local Fishing Tournament 2016
It gives us great pleasure to invite you to our “28th Bonaire International and Local Fishing Tournament” taking place between January 14-16, 2016. Next to fishing there will be sufficient food and drinks and of course our fabulous atmosphere at the event
New Year’s Dive
The Dive Tag (nature fee) of 2015 is valid through January 15, 2016.
So on January 16th, STINAPA will organize a New Year’s Dive at Coco Beach, entrance next to Den Laman, where we will sell the 2016 dive tag to local residents only. We will be at the beach from 10 am – 12 noon to give the marine park orientation and supervise the buoyance check dive. This is a one-time opportunity!
So come prepared with $ 25 (exact amount please), your dive gear, tank, certification and don’t forget your sedula.
While you are in the water doing your buoyancy check you may want to collect some garbage underwater! We will provide mesh bags, courtesy of Yellow Sub ‘Debris Free Bonaire’ program.
If you are a licensed lionfish hunter, by all means bring your gear and hunt.
Of course, anyone who already has a 2016 dive tag is welcome to join the clean-up!
Tumba Contest 2016
Originally from Africa with a Caribbean influence, the tumba music played during the Carnival has the rhythm of the “tambu”which is a tambour with a 6/8 beat. This event features local bands and singers competing for the Tumba King or Queen title with their original musical compositions and lyrics.
Dive Friends Clean Up Dive 1 – 2016 January 23
Dive Friends Bonaire organizes the quarterly Bonaire Underwater Clean Up Dive. On each Clean Up Dive, a different area of Bonaire’s coastal reefs or beaches is selected and any trash which has not become part of the reef is collected. We invite and welcome any participants who want to combine vacation with doing the right thing for their reefs! Quarterly cleanups give us the opportunity to focus on the removal of new trash rather than disturbing the flora and fauna that have taken up residence in older trash.
Queen Election Carnival
Bonaire elects one of its most important carnival representatives, the Bonaire Carnival Queen, January 29. Young women between the ages of 17 and 25 compete for the honor of leading the Grand Parade.
Carnival Youth Parade Rincon 2016
January 30,The district of Rincon demonstrates its Carnival spirit with the presentation of its own children parade.
Carnival Youth Parade Kralendijk 2016
January 31,Youth Grand Parade in Kralendijk includes all of the island’s different carnival groups. Hundreds of children enjoy the opportunity to show off their dancing skills and colorful costumes.
FEBRYARY
Carnival Grand Parade Rincon 2016
February 6,This is a prelude to the Grand Carnival Parade. Local musicians create an exceptional ambiance in Rincon by playing their latest carnival hits to the delight of hundreds of marchers dressed in resplendent costumes.
Carnival Grand Parade Kralendijk 2016
February 7,The largest carnival parade is the Grand Parade through Kralendijk held on Sunday before Ash Wednesday. This parade is filled with unforgettable music, spectacular floats and original costumes decorated with colorful stones, sequins and feathers, creating a unique display.
Carnival Monday 2016
February 8,Carnival Monday 2016 – Legal holiday
The end of the carnival season is marked with a parade ending in Kralendijk followed by the symbolic burning of “King Momito” which takes place on the parking lot of the stadium.
Carnival Farewell 2016
February 9,The end of the carnival season is marked with a parade ending in Kralendijk.
Cultural Market Feb 2016
February 27,The Cultural Market has a fusion of local arts & crafts, plants & vegetables and educational presentations. Enjoy the delicious food while listening to some of the best local musicians as they play live at cultural park Mangazina di Rei located at the east-entrance of Rincon.
Every last Saturday of the month from 8am till 1pm. Entrance free.
MARCH
Bon Doet 2016
March 11, BON DOET is the Bonairean version of the NL DOET organized annually in the Netherlands by Oranje Fonds to bring volunteers and organizations together to earn and benefit from each other, helping our community to grow
Good Friday 2016
March 25,Good Friday 2016 – Legal holiday
Cultural Market March 2016
March 26,The Cultural Market has a fusion of local arts & crafts, plants & vegetables and educational presentations. Enjoy the delicious food while listening to some of the best local musicians as they play live at cultural park Mangazina di Rei located at the east-entrance of Rincon.
Every last Saturday of the month from 8am till 1pm. Entrance free.
Legal holiday – Easter Sunday 2016
Easter Monday 2016 – Simadan (Harvest) Festival Rincon
March 28, Easter Monday 2016 – Legal holiday
Simadan stems from Bonaire’s slave days and celebrates the growing season’s harvest (typically March/April). The festive harvest celebration in Bonaire varies from other places, perhaps, as a direct result of the way slaves on Bonaire were treated.
Bonaire’s slaves grew crops for owners and some were permitted personal crops as well, a “liberty” not usually afforded to slaves elsewhere. Personal gains gave Bonairean slaves reason to celebrate at Simadan, while slaves in Curacao, for example, witnessed harvest going only to the owners and lamented instead.
After Bonaire’s slavery abolition in 1863, most slaves received land. Together, families took turns helping to harvest and celebrating the crops throughout Simadan. Similarly today, familes and friends gather to help harvest sorghum and maize, while the farmer supplies food and drink (rum) for the party.
APRIL
Dive Friends Clean Up Dive 2 – 2016
April 9,Dive Friends Bonaire organizes the quarterly Bonaire Underwater Clean Up Dive. On each Clean Up Dive, a different area of Bonaire’s coastal reefs or beaches is selected and any trash which has not become part of the reef is collected. We invite and welcome any participants who want to combine vacation with doing the right thing for their reefs! Quarterly cleanups give us the opportunity to focus on the removal of new trash rather than disturbing the flora and fauna that have taken up residence in older trash
King’s Day 2016
April 27,King’s Day 2016 – Legal Holiday
An official government ceremony in honor of King Willem Alexander Is followed by numerous events and celebrations.
Rincon Day 2016
April 30,Rincon Day is a special day on the island of Bonaire, where the focus is in the oldest town of Bonaire and the Dutch Caribbean. Visitors can enjoy an array of local cuisines and listen to local music and traditional dances. All of these activities take place in the center of Rincon where locals and visitors meet and enjoy several cultural festivities.
Cultural Market April 2016
April 30, The Cultural Market has a fusion of local arts & crafts, plants & vegetables and educational presentations. Enjoy the delicious food while listening to some of the best local musicians as they play live at cultural park Mangazina di Rei located at the east-entrance of Rincon.
Every last Saturday of the month from 8am till 1pm. Entrance free.
MAY
Labor Day 2016
May 1,Labor Day 2016 – Legal holiday
Ascension Day 2016
May 5, Ascension Day 2016 – Legal holiday
Cultural Market May 2016
May 28,The Cultural Market has a fusion of local arts & crafts, plants & vegetables and educational presentations. Enjoy the delicious food while listening to some of the best local musicians as they play live at cultural park Mangazina di Rei located at the east-entrance of Rincon.
Every last Saturday of the month from 8am till 1pm. Entrance free.
JUNE
Taste of Bonaire 2016 – 2
Jun 25,At the Taste of Bonaire, visitors will have the opportunity to experience food, culture, local handicrafts and all things offered on Bonaire.
JULY
Dive Friends Clean Up Dive 3 – 2016
Jul 9,Dive Friends Bonaire organizes the quarterly Bonaire Underwater Clean Up Dive. On each Clean Up Dive, a different area of Bonaire’s coastal reefs or beaches is selected and any trash which has not become part of the reef is collected. We invite and welcome any participants who want to combine vacation with doing the right thing for their reefs! Quarterly cleanups give us the opportunity to focus on the removal of new trash rather than disturbing the flora and fauna that have taken up residence in older trash.
Cultural Market July 2016
Jul 30, The Cultural Market has a fusion of local arts & crafts, plants & vegetables and educational presentations. Enjoy the delicious food while listening to some of the best local musicians as they play live at cultural park Mangazina di Rei located at the east-entrance of Rincon.
Every last Saturday of the month from 8am till 1pm. Entrance free
AUGUST
Taste of Bonaire 2016 – 4
Aug 27,At the Taste of Bonaire, visitors will have the opportunity to experience food, culture, local handicrafts and all things offered on Bonaire
Cultural Market Aug 2016
Aug 27,The Cultural Market has a fusion of local arts & crafts, plants & vegetables and educational presentations. Enjoy the delicious food while listening to some of the best local musicians as they play live at cultural park Mangazina di Rei located at the east-entrance of Rincon.
Every last Saturday of the month from 8am till 1pm. Entrance free
SEPTEMBER
Bonaire Flag Day 2016
September 6,Bonaire Flag Day – Legal Holiday
On this day, all of Bonaire celebrates the existence of the island. Most of the time it is held within a chosen town on Bonaire where locals and visitors dance, eat, drink on the streets with several entertainment bands. The Motorcycle event is also one of the major highlights of this day where over 400 participants with their motorcycles are flown in from around the world and take a tour of the island as part of the national flag day ceremony.
Taste of Bonaire 2016 – 5
September 24,At the Taste of Bonaire, visitors will have the opportunity to experience food, culture, local handicrafts and all things offered on Bonaire.
OCTOBER
Jong Bonaire’s Annual Swim to Klein Bonaire Event 2016
October 1,For the 16th time, Youth Center Jong Bonaire is organizing its annual fundraising event Swim to Klein Bonaire, taking place at the beginning of the Bonaire International Sailing Regatta. This sport and social event brings together families and individuals of all ages to support the children of Jong Bonaire, one of the largest programs in the Antilles dealing with teenagers and serving to hundreds of high school students here on the island of Bonaire. The event will be held as every year at Eden Beach Resort (starting point).
Annual Bonaire Regatta 2016
October 2, The 49th edition of the Bonaire Regatta takes place from 7th-10th October 2015. During this event the bay will be filled with sails from all kinds of sailing divisions, all competing for their class championship.
Dive Friends Clean Up Dive 4 – 2016
October15,Dive Friends Bonaire organizes the quarterly Bonaire Underwater Clean Up Dive. On each Clean Up Dive, a different area of Bonaire’s coastal reefs or beaches is selected and any trash which has not become part of the reef is collected. We invite and welcome any participants who want to combine vacation with doing the right thing for their reefs! Quarterly cleanups give us the opportunity to focus on the removal of new trash rather than disturbing the flora and fauna that have taken up residence in older trash.
NOVEMBER
Cultural Market Nov 2016
November 26, The Cultural Market has a fusion of local arts & crafts, plants & vegetables and educational presentations. Enjoy the delicious food while listening to some of the best local musicians as they play live at cultural park Mangazina di Rei located at the east-entrance of Rincon.
Every last Saturday of the month from 8am till 1pm. Entrance free.
DECEMBER
Sinterklaas Birthday Celebration 2016
December 5,Originated in Holland and celebrated only in the Dutch Caribbean and the Netherlands, Sinterklaas (or St. Nicholas) is a day children look forward to. Sinterklaas is a tall elderly man dressed in red that rides a white horse and is accompanied by zwarte pieten (servants). As tradition has it, Sinterklaas visits only once a year, bringing presents to all the children who have been well behaved. In order to receive a present, children on December 4th fill one of their shoes with grass for Sinterklaas’ white horse; the next morning they awake to find an empty shoe and a present.
Kingdom Day 2016
December 15,Kingdom Day – Legal Holiday
Christmas Day 2016
December 25,Christmas Day 2016 – Legal holiday
Boxing Day 2016
Boxing Day 2016 (Day after Christmas) – Legal Holiday
