Independence Food Gala | North Sound Antigua Barbuda | 4,November 2025

I arrived at the Independence Food Gala in North Sound, Antigua, around 11:30 a.m., just as the day was beginning to warm up and vendors were putting the final touches on their stalls. The air was already sweet with the smell of barbecue smoke, seasoning, and fresh local dishes — everything from ducana and saltfish to grilled lobster, fried fish, and island pastries cooling on trays. I started my walk-through early, knowing that by mid-afternoon this place would be packed wall-to-wall with happy faces, laughter, and the sound of music and celebration.

Moving through the open space while it was still calm gave me a chance to capture every detail — the chefs preparing, the vendors arranging their tables, and the bright Independence colors decorating every corner. You can almost feel the anticipation in the air, that quiet before the rhythm of the day takes over. By this time, the DJ had already started warming up the sound system, mixing soca, calypso, and a few old-school hits that floated across the grounds.

I made sure to take my time walking from booth to booth, talking with vendors and showing off the variety of dishes — savory, spicy, sweet, and colorful, just like our people. Later in the day, as I predicted, this entire area was filled with a huge crowd of smiling, dancing, eating, and drinking Antiguans and Barbudans, celebrating Independence the way we know best — through food, laughter, and music.

This video captures that experience from my perspective — the calm before the crowd, the beauty of preparation, and the heart of community that shines through every Independence celebration in Antigua & Barbuda.