Mardis de Grand-Case : “Our primary goal, to keep the event going”

“Our primary goal is to keep the event going,” says Chantal Vernusse, director of Calypso Event, which has been organizing the event for several years. “First, I would like to commend the initiative of ARCHA (Association of Restaurateurs, Merchants, and Hoteliers of Grand-Case), which launched the first Mardis de Grand-Case in 2003 under the name Harmony Night, as a project to bring entertainment to the boulevard,” she says.

Two decades later, Mardis de Grand-Case is still going strong and will return on February 24 for six consecutive dates. “For 23 years, this event has highlighted all the treasures of Grand-Case and Saint Martin: its lolos, its restaurateurs, its merchants, its inhabitants, its artists. To pay tribute to them, the theme of this edition will be ‘The Treasures of Grand-Case,’” she continues.

As every year, the Grand-Case boulevard will become pedestrianized and will host a variety of activities: a crafts and artists' market with stands selling local creations (jewelry, clothing, decorations, works of art), food stands, live concerts with several bands performing simultaneously, and themed parades. New this year: every Tuesday will feature a double parade. The first, at 7 p.m., will feature drummers representing the different neighborhoods. The second, around 8 p.m., will bring together dancers. In case of bad weather, a canceled evening may be postponed.

Two million euros in annual economic benefits

Between 5,000 and 7,000 visitors are expected every Tuesday. To welcome them, 380 people will be mobilized, including more than 40 merchants, 95 exhibitors, 80 artists, 50 security guards, and 12 members of the organization. The estimated budget for the six evenings is €220,000, or approximately €36,000 per Tuesday. More than half of this budget is devoted to entertainment and technical equipment, while a quarter is for energy and electrical installations. A subsidy of €100,000 has been requested from the local authority. Still under review, it will determine the final number of Tuesdays organized.

"Since its creation, we have organized 220 evenings. We estimate that more than 700,000 visitors have passed through the entrance to the boulevard. According to the impact study we conducted, Les Mardis de Grand-Case generate more than €2 million in annual economic benefits and support 90 full-time jobs,“ says Chantal, mentioning the neighborhood residents ”without whom none of this would be possible ." This year, to thank them, the residents of Grand-Case will be honored through a series of portraits posted on the event's social media accounts.

BY CYRILE POCREAU