The Mighty Grynner Highway came alive with soca music, handcrafted displays, food and drinks, and live performances on the second day of Bridgetown Market on Sunday, August 2, 2026, drawing large crowds despite criticism over declining attendance in recent years.
When Barbados TODAY arrived shortly after 5 p.m., the pop-up street market was already bustling with activity. Stalls lined both sides of the highway, where patrons of all ages, from babies in strollers to senior citizens, strolled leisurely through the venue, pausing to browse the displays. Children tugged eagerly at their parents’ and guardians’ hands, guiding them toward sno-cone carts and light-up or bubble-blowing toys, while adults mingled and soaked up the festive atmosphere.
About an hour later, revellers participating in Aura Experience’s SunMas, in collaboration with Monde Mas and Blue Box Cart, made their way to the area in front of the Stanfield Scott Building. Music blared from the trucks as revellers danced in the street, adding a carnival-like energy to the traditional market setting. On the lead truck, Jordan English performed several of his songs, including Active and Island Girl.
A Big G’s Enterprises team member fries fish cakes at Bridgetown Market. (Photo credit Leanne McGregor)
Against this lively backdrop, we spoke with vendors and patrons alike, many of whom described the market as one of Crop Over’s defining traditions and reflected on how the event has evolved over the years.
Among the artisans was Osula Holder of iCreate Concepts, who has been participating in Bridgetown Market for about five years. Together with her sister, Sophia Sandiford, she displayed handcrafted crochet items, bonnets, scrunchies and headbands, most of which they produce themselves.
“My experience of Bridgetown Market is always a pleasant one. I try to take it for what it is and make it as best as I could in terms of making money and also enjoying the festival and the people and the energy that Bridgetown Market has,” Holder said.
Holder said she looks forward to Crop Over each year because of its social commentary, music, camaraderie and cultural experiences, describing it as a festival she enjoys “holistically.”
She said that earlier that afternoon, she had left her stall to play Wari further along the highway, describing the traditional board game as “an indigenous retention from Africa”.
Holder acknowledged that attendance has fluctuated over the years, but believes continued efforts from the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) can strengthen the event.
“I think that the NCF is trying to find ways to bring people to the space again. Maybe it might take a little bit more in advertising, but it is what it is,” she said, adding that she has noticed an encouraging increase in regional visitors.
Aura Experience’s SunMas revellers bring carnival energy to Bridgetown Market (Photo credit_ Leanne McGregor)
A short distance away, Kaye Bascombe examined toys with her partner and two children at the CNC Wholesale and Retail stall. She said visiting Bridgetown Market has become a family tradition since becoming a parent seven years ago.
“We usually come every year to Bridgetown Market so that the children can come out and get their toys and enjoy the culture, enjoy the festival,” she said.
Bascombe said she noticed declining attendance at the market, noting that she misses the scale of earlier years and would like to see the event regain some of its former reach.
“I’d like to see more stalls because I remember before when we were all down the highway. It’s kind of disappointing to see that we’ve moved away from that.”
When asked why the Bascombe family returns each year, she simply replied: “Nostalgia”.
“The nostalgia of it all,” she continued. “Because I remember coming with my mom and my dad. So I want to carry that on with them.”
Farther along the highway, copper jewellery artisan Michael Frederick showcased his handcrafted creations, many of them one-of-a-kind pieces. Trading under St. Elmo Wire Wrapping and Design Jewelry, he displayed an assortment of copper and stainless steel accessories, including bracelets, earrings and beaded jewellery for women, alongside paracord pieces designed for men.
Frederick, who has participated in Bridgetown Market for about three years, said demand varies from year to year and often depends on what catches customers’ attention on the day. Still, he said the response to his craftsmanship has been encouraging.
“I love what I do because they can’t get enough. They love my work because it’s very unique,” he added, noting that his specially coated copper pieces retain their shine for years.
Standing nearby wearing two handcrafted copper bracelets made by Frederick was long-time supporter Abigail Springer, who said she has attended Bridgetown Market since its inception and believes the event deserves continued investment.
“I think that [people should attend Bridgetown Market] because it’s a part of the culture and I think that we should put more into it and encourage one another.”
Springer said one of the things that keeps bringing her back to Bridgetown Market is the opportunity to walk through the venue, reconnect with people she has not seen in a long time and catch up on how they are doing.
Over at Big G’s Enterprises, customers queued along the stall as the aroma of sizzling burgers and fish cakes filled the air. Owner Austin Yearwood-Skeete, who is carrying on the legacy of the family business, said Big G’s has been serving patrons for more than 25 years with burgers, fried chicken, macaroni pie and its signature fish cakes, which were among the stall’s top sellers this year.
Like several vendors, Yearwood-Skeete reflected on changing attendance levels. She suggested that offering incentives through corporate sponsorships could help boost attendance at Bridgetown Market, proposing giveaways, product samples and promotional offers to encourage more people, particularly younger patrons, to return.
“To encourage people to come back, I think we will have to maybe offer some incentives like let various sponsors then give drinks or free burgers or even samples of their various products and see if that would encourage them to come.”
Across the highway at the Amazing Kids stall, 17-year-old sales assistant Tiffany Wickham watched children excitedly browse Needoh products and squishy toys.
She said business improved significantly on Sunday, compared to a slower start the previous day, and welcomed the addition of the Aura Experience parade, describing its appearance as a highlight.
“My favourite part was when they saw Aura and the bands coming down. That was better this year for me.”
For Wickham, Bridgetown Market remains an essential part of the Crop Over Festival.
“It was a part of our culture for a very long time. If we were to stop it would feel weird. This is the time that I see everybody together most.”
Now in her second year assisting at the stall, Wickham said what she enjoys most is interacting with patrons: “I just like the interaction with the people. Some like to crack jokes, some like to just smile and purchase stuff.”
Live Performances
During the evening, crowds that had earlier been dispersed along the highway, shifted toward the main stage where spectators gathered shoulder to shoulder for an evening programme of calypso performances.
Hosted first by Carl “Alff” Padmore and later by Antoine “Brudda Daddy” Williams, the entertainment featured a number of performers, including Adrian Clarke, De Announcer, Q-Lemar, Shawnie, Captain Sawyer, Ross, Bert “Panta” Brown, and veteran tent leader Jerry Roberts, whose appearance drew rousing cheers and applause from the audience.
Bridgetown Market, established as part of the modern revival of the Crop Over Festival in 1974, is traditionally held from Friday to Sunday over the final weekend before Grand Kadooment. The event has been organised by the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) since it assumed responsibility for the festival in 1983.
(LM)
