Chicken
Drop & Crab Races at the Pier Lounge, San Pedro Town, Ambergris
Caye
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Chicken
Drop Wednesday
Crab
Races - Monday
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As you
walk along the beach at the end of the day your attention
is drawn to a platform and a sort of fence being set up on
the beach. "This must be a bingo night or some sort of
group entertainment," you think as you consider something
entertaining to do. At the Pier Lounge Bar, one is
told about the world famous Chicken Drop game that
is so popular on the island and held only at the beach here.
You order a Pina Colada andyour friend and the other
clients purchase their tickets for a square in the Chicken
Drop game. After a few refreshing drinks, you see this gentleman
coming with a live healthy chicken continued below...
The
same sort of thing happens on MONDAY. The "Race
Track" is set out so you can bet on HERMIT CRAB
to win.A wager is 5.00 per number ($2.50 US). There are
20 crabs.A bowl is set over them in the middle of a 6 feet
round table. Each hermit crab has a number painted on the
shell. The first crab to reach the outside of the circle
after the bowl is removed is declared the winner and 100
Belize Dollars are the award. FUN FUN FUN!
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By
this time time there is a crowd of participants and lots of spectators
gathered around the fence. There is music and cheering
and much enthusiasm to see the chicken move from one area
of the board to another area. There are oohs and aaahs and squeals
of disappointments. One lady speaks in Spanish to the chicken.
The crowd laughs as she pronounces "galina" for "gallina".
Just when the chicken begins to look a little frightened, it
does 'its thing' on square #45. The crowd is jubilant and
some raise their glass of the locally brewed Belikin Beer.
Someone shouts out his number- 45. and jumps onto the
square board, picks up the chicken and poses for pictures.He
has just won the World Famous Chicken Drop at the Pier Lounge.
But wait a minute, he is informed that part of the fun and to
collect his $100, he must clean up after the chicken (not a big
mess) and more pictures are snapped. The cash is collected and
then more Pina Coladas, Margaritas, Belikins and rum punches.
You are told that this only happens on Wednesdays. Someone
is entertaining with lovely songs and fine music. What a happy
time these folks are having. It was only meant to be a barefoot
stroll along the beach, and it is almost midnight and the fun
is still on. One for the road, a little bit of dancing and you
head for the hotel for a night's rest because there are plans
on the island for the following day. What a night for the chicken!
