Thousands of people found their way to Gelée beach in the southern town of Aux Cayes on the weekend of August 15th for the city’s annual patron saint festival, commonly known as Fête Gelée. This festival, which is a favorite of many Diaspora is attended by thousands who come to eat, bathe, and watch their favorite bands in concert. This year however, despite no shortage of visitors, Fête Gelée appeared to have completely lost its luster. Conspicuously missing were the elaborate decorations and colorful displays of past years. People on the beach, some food merchants, and a stage set up by Voila were the only visible cues that there was a festival taking place.

Are people simply lacking interest, or is the world recession preventing the Diaspora and corporate sponsors from funding the festival as was common in previous years? Rumor has it that even the upcoming Laborday Parade on Brooklyn’s Eastern Parkway will have noticeably fewer Haitian floats. T-Vice will supposedly be absent for the first time in years due to lack of sufficient sponsorship.

On the bright side, the musical groups that performed at Gelée did manage to rouse and entertain the masses. Artists such as Mas Kompa, Bel Jaz, and Rock-Fam gave great performances. Of note was the great number of local hip-hop groups who took the stage, filling the entertainment vacuum created by the absence of the usual, big-name bands. Hopefully, it will not be long before the glitter and fanfare of Fête Gelée return, bringing with it the party-going throngs, and the much needed money that they always come with.

Pascal Antoine
Photos by Ginior Felix