SIMPSON BAY--There have been major improvements to the 37th St. Maarten Heineken Regatta concert staging as well as the deluxe VIP decking that will enhance the overall experience of the concerts March 2-5,2017, organisers told The Daily Herald on Wednesday.
Thursday,Friday and Saturday evenings and venues will continue to be free to the public butthe Sunday night event, March 5, will for the first time have a US $20 admission fee for the general public.
“The admission fee on Sunday is a necessary step to ensure the sustainability of the event here in St Maarten for many years to come. This event attracts thousands of visitors annually to our shores, and it provides an incredible value to virtually every business on the island,” according to a statement from the Regatta organizers send to this newspaper on Wednesday.
Entrance to the concert on Sunday is included in the entry fee for registered sailing participantsand active volunteers will also receive complimentary passes to the venue on Sunday.
Regatta organisers continue to improve on their winning formula and energetic vibe of hosting a world-class sailing and music event. The entertainment and musical acts have been booked, the venues have been confirmed and the sailors are rushing toenterto race in the Caribbean’s largest sailing event. The Regatta, known as the largest warm-water regatta in the world, is set to host more than 5,000 visitors to the island.
The Regatta organisation has also announced that there will be many promotional opportunities to win free or discounted tickets to the Sunday show. UTS, the official telecommunication sponsor of the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, will run a Regatta Ticket + Top-Up promotion whereby consumers can spend $25 and receive a $20 event ticket for Sunday’s show and a $20 credit for their Chippie phone – total savings of $15.
Parties this year
John Leone of International Liquors & Tobacco stated, “We are thrilled to be able to provide such a great line-up this year, which will feature UB40, Collie Buddz and Mya as highlights of a world-class entertainment roster. Every year we strive to make the event better than the previous and with that comes change. We know that everyone will walk away with an experience that will last them a lifetime and that is what the event is all about.
"Serious Fun is the event's motto and it’s also something we take to heart and strive to achieve each and every year. We hope everyone enjoy the sailing, the parties and our wonderful island of St Maarten. They all go hand in hand and make this event truly unique.”
Thursday, March 2 officially starts off the regatta festivities with a night of music. Thursday’sGreenSensation will showcase a collaboration of the island’stop four DJs: Cut creator DJ Outkast, DJ Bossman, DJ Big Boss and DJ Em. With the aim of blending the crowd’s desires with the DJs’ talents, the audience will be active in choosing what music will be played during the night’sfestivities.
The Princess Port de Plaisance venue will host several food vendors and plenty of bars to keep attendees hydrated during the night. This is a fun and interactive party to experience and is free to the public.
Friday, March 3, will showcase Philipsburg at the Boardwalk Boulevard venue. A partnership with the Harbour Group of Companies makes the evening of “St. Maarten by Sea” possible, carrying the event along the entire stretch of Boardwalk Boulevard.
The sounds of the Island’s best musicians, including Xplosion Band, and Exodus band from Anguilla will be featured along with local artisans, groups and organisations that can showcase and sell their work at Boardwalk Market, a concept introduced in 2016 and being repeated, by popular demand. Admission to the event will be free to the public. If interested in a booth in the Boardwalk Market contact
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The Saturday, March 4, event “St. Maarten by Air” is in collaboration with Princess Juliana International Airport SXM. In addition to some great musical talents, the night will be filled with aerial highlights and stunts and many more surprises. Caribbean dancehall and reggae sensation Collie Buddz and Antiguan singer Asher Otto and Itchyfeet willhighlight the evening, which will prove to be full of surprises.Admission for the night'sentertainment is free to the public.
Corporate and VIP passes for the night’sconcerts are available and include VIP area access, drinks, snacks, and air conditioned private restrooms and seating.
The party on Sunday, March 5,is named "Legendary Party" and will be the final event. The organisers have already announced they have secured legendary reggae band UB40 featuring Ali, Astro and Mickey for the final show. Also making a special appearanceSunday night will be Grammy Award-winning R&B artist Mya.
Corporate and VIP passes for the night’s concerts are available and include admission. E-mail
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information. The venue will offer food and drinks for sale as well as St.Maarten HeinekenRegatta merchandise.
Tickets forSunday’s Legendary Partycan be purchased at all UTS offices, both Van Dorp locations, Tech Hub at Le Grand Marché Bush Road, Toppers Restaurant on Welfare Road,theSint Maarten Yacht Club, The Captain duty free stores in Philipsburg and International Liquors in Pointe Blanche. VIP tickets for the Sunday evening are $175 each.
The sole purpose of the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta is to create an international sailing and music event that highlights the island of St. Maarten/St. Martin and attracts visitors to the many hotels, restaurants and cultural highlights that this two-nation island has to offer.
