Bermuda Cup Match Day Date: July 30
Bermuda Cup Match Day is a public holiday in Bermuda.
Bermuda Cup Match day started way back in 1902. On this day, two cricket clubs of Bermuda namely Somerset and St. George’s cricket clubs participate in a scintillating cricket match. It is a two-day event.
Bermuda Cup Match Day History
Originally, there were two public holidays in Bermuda- The Emancipation Day and the Somers’ Day. The Emancipation Day is on August 1. On August 1, 1834, the laws abolishing slavery were enacted. Somers’ Day is yet another public holiday which is observed somewhere in the end of July to commemorate the shipwreck in Bermuda by British Admiral Sir George Somers in 1609. This dual holiday is known as the Cup Match Day and is now held on the Thursday and Friday close to August 1. The Bermudians spend these two holidays fruitfully by playing cricket, having good food and drinks and cheering up the two teams.
Is it cricket everywhere?
Initially, St George’s and Somerset lodges arranged their annual picnic to coincide with the Emancipation Day. A friendly match between the eastern and western lodge members used to take place. But with time this match has drawn a lot of attention. More and more people are now interested in the match. For some Bermudians these two days are all about cricket. Only these two teams play and there are no qualifying rounds. Twenty-two very good players of the island take part in the match. Whenever a batsman hits a six, Soca or Reggae music is played. Two local radio stations broadcast running commentary for the match. But the Cup Match Day is not all about cricket. It is something more than that. It is this time of the year when friends and relatives meet and spend some time together watching the match. Some again go out for parties. In brief, it is party time for the Bermudians.
What exactly happens on the Cup Match Day?
As said earlier the Cup Match Day is all fun and frolic. Some wander about here and there chatting with friends and relatives, others remain busy drinking rum. Dolly Pitcher’s renowned seafood stall supplies mussel pies and conch stew to the people out there so that they can meet their hunger. Some take advantage of the undisturbed gambling laws this time and get news about the match from the crowd only. Many local people also play Crown and Anchor in the tents that are built around the ground. This is a Cup Match tradition.
Bermuda Cup Match Day Traditions and Activities
When the people are not watching cricket, they make camps everywhere in the parks, in the gardens or maybe even by the roadside. In these tents they party with friends and relations. They have barbeques, beer and all sorts of food that they take an interest in. People are in a mood of celebration and are ready to spend.
In brief, this dual holiday of the Bermudians is unique. No one can find such an event like this in some other place in the world.
Other interesting posts:
- Somers Day in Bermuda
- Bermuda Joyously Celebrates Bermuda Day
- Remembrance Day Observed in Bermuda
- Labour Day Observed in Bermuda
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