It's the final summer blowout before school starts and the older students leave the island for St Martin or Guadeloupe to continue their studies. Today is the Pitea Day celebration, which is held on the commercial dock in Public. Competitions in dominoes and pétanque took place at 7:30 am this morning. The drawing for the raffle is today on the dock in Public at 5:00 pm. First prize is two tickets from St Martin to Paris via Air France! There are ten other prizes, including dinner for two at The Wall House, a "one-for-two" ticket from St Barth to St Martin on The Voyager and a motorcycle helmet.

On August 18 and 19, St Barth celebrates the Festival of Gustavia - where else but on the Quai du General de Gaulle in Gustavia. There will be regattas, music, dancing, drinks and fireworks.

August 24 brings the Patron Saint Feast Day, the Festival of St Barthélémy. He's certainly my favorite saint! Church and official ceremonies will be held as well as regattas, music, dancing and fireworks in Gustavia. A special event this year, hosted by the Ouanalo Association in collaboration with the Collectivity of St Barthélémy, is a contest to vote for "Little Miss and Mister St Barth 2007" for children aged 6 to 9 years.

And last but not least, is the final beach festival: the 44th celebration of the Festival of St Louis in the quaint fishing village of Corossol on Saturday, August 25. The festival kicks off at 6:30 am when the boats depart for the fishing contest of orphies. The day is packed full of events, culminating at 8:30 pm with fireworks followed by music and dancing on "le Pont de la Jeunesse." Here's the full schedule. As usual, food and drink will be available during the day and evening.

8:00 am - Mass at the base of the rock of Saint-Louis
9:00 am - Bélote competition
10:00 am - Departure of two regattas: Optimists sailboats and traditional canoes
10:30 am - "Baby-foot" competition and beach volleyball tournament
11:00 am - Various games on the beach
12:30 pm - Honorary wine and music; awarding of the prizes for the competitions
2:00 pm - Canoe and kayak classes
3:30 pm - Various games
6:30 pm - Dance exhibition presented by Kim
7:30 pm - Raffle drawing. First prize if a 7-day cruise on the Costa cruise line for two people; second prize if a computer and HP printer; third prize if a Samsung digital DVD camcorder; fourth prize is a weed blower; fifth prize is a teak coffee table. Remaining prizes include a vacuum cleaner, DVD player, man's watch and a portable air compressor. Tickets are 5 €.
8:00 pm - Skit portraying the years of yore
8:30 pm - Fireworks followed by music and dancing