Well into its second century, Bermuda’s annual emancipation celebration has evolved into much more than just a cricket game!More popular than ever, Cup Match in Bermuda is now a fully charged four day fete, with loads to do and see, and plenty high quality revelry to indulge in.In recent years, the four day weekend that falls closest to August 1 (Emancipation Day), and August 2 (Somers Day) has become quite a spectacle, with thousands of locals and visitor alike finding a treasure trove of unique, Bermudaful experiences to enjoy and remember.At the turn of the century, Cup Match was fantastic! I loved going to the game on both days, watching my beloved St George’s handle the West Enders, and enjoying the family atmosphere that is always present in the public stands at Cup Match.It was a good time in the long tradition of what is essentially, an all-star game (the best on earth I might add).But then, the 2000s came, and the gears started grinding. There was a series of fabulous concerts on the Wednesday before Cup Match (Cup Match Eve if you will), a small organised gathering at the beach, and a few key postgame celebrations that eventually morphed into what I now call: The Four Pillars of Cup Match.Pillar # 1: The GameLet’s face it, our annual East versus West All-Star extravaganza stands as one of the premiere two-day sporting events on the planet!It’s a fantastic, drama-filled, enthralling spectacle, and anyone who loves sport, let alone cricket, is absolutely captivated by Cup Match.The Game will always be a pillar of our midsummer gem, and its popularity is higher than ever these days.With the advent of tiered camps giving the respective Cup Match grounds an old fashioned coliseum feel, and the live broadcast of the entire game, Cup Match is set to explode onto the international scene as an event not to be missed. The game is at the St. George’s Cricket Club ground this year, and is regularly attended by 10,000 plus people over the two days.Pillar # 2: Beach FestIn 2005, a relatively fledgling group of 20-somethings decided to take the popular Bermudian tradition of going to the beach on the first day of Cup Match, and make it pop and sizzle! The now mind-bogglingly successful Beach Fest was thus born.Chewstick Executive Director Gavin Smith describes the inspiration behind Beach Fest as “the recognition that young people had developed a new tradition of going to Horseshoe Bay for Emancipation Day …. It was a social experience that was unique and drew people together”.“However, there was no structure or organisation to it, so there would be big boxes drowning out smaller boxes or discrepancies over who has a spot first, and then there were no real activities to participate in …“This we saw as an ideal opportunity to cultivate and grow by adding live music, DJs, structured sports and games, additional amenities, and fun group activities which ultimately became Beach Fest.”The first Beach Fest drew 1,500 people to Horseshoe Bay Beach, while the latest edition (2010) enjoyed a patronage of around 9,000. I’d say that qualifies Beach Fest as a pillar of Cup Match.This year’s Beach Fest is set to expand the revelry further than ever when Beach Fest opens on the Wednesday before Cup Match with all day activities and a live concert in the evening, featuring international Dancehall superstar Mr Vegas. How’s that for pillar-like?Pillar # 3: Soca versus– ReggaeThis frenetic celebration got off to a humble beginning in 2007, when, at Fort St Catherine Beach, about 200 diehard revellers weathered monsoon conditions to enjoy the first of the ongoing series of Bermuda’s Official Cup Match After Party.This event has become a pillar of Cup Match through the sheer energy and excitement of those who have attended, and who will never miss it again!The venue for this night-time celebration of the musical genres that make summer in Bermuda such a wonderful thing changes every year, but it is usually conveniently located at the concert ground closest to the game. This year the Soca versus Reggae crew is resurrecting the legendary Penno’s Wharf at Tiger Bay, St George’s (approximately 800 metres from the field), and is boasting an international line-up of massively talented live artists and Deejays.Popular Jamaican artist Ding Dong will team up with Bermuda’s own C’Daynger and last year’s champions Poison Dart Sound out of Miami, and YGS to defend the crown for Reggae, while the Soca team will be represented by Skinny Fabulous, Problem Child, Ox Mighty out of Boston, and former champion Tony Tempo out of Atlanta.This event is characterised by extreme energy and decadent revelry, with this year’s edition set to be the best one yet. The score is tied; Soca has two wins, and Reggae has two wins in the series, and the organisers of Soca versus Reggae have a vision of a day when everyone in Bermuda and beyond has a Cup Match team, and a Cup Match After Party team!The 2011 edition of Soca versus Reggae is dubbed The Global Edition because this is the first year that this event is being actively promoted overseas.The vision is to work with the three other pillars of Cup Match to present an entire package of high quality entertainment to the world and make Cup Match in Bermuda a global attraction.Pillar # 4: The Non-Mariner’s RaceThe well told story of this event’s development from an inebriated pram race into a veritable water wonderland is the stuff of legend. These days the Sandys Boat Club hosted annual Non-Mariner’s Race acts as a massively popular anchor to Bermuda’s favourite four-day weekend.The Sunday after Cup Match was created to be spent at Mangrove Bay in Somerset. Whether you are competing, spectating, or just partying on one of the many party boats, being one of the thousands of attendees at this event is sure to give you wonderful memories for years to come.With an origin that has become a quintessential part of local lore, and the excitement generated by this event growing every year, it’s no doubt that the Non-Mariner’s Race is a decidedly solid Pillar of Cup Match.With the recent development of Beach Fest and Soca versus Reggae into pillar-worthy events, Bermuda now has a firm foundation from which she can launch an all-out blitz on the international events calendar. Newer events like this year’s inaugural Bermy Splash, which is set to feature a massive line-up of Bermudian entertainers live on stage at White Hill Field on Saturday night are sure to add even more lustre in the years to come.Suffice it to say that we are onto something good here! A five-day midsummer event that can compete on the same field as Caribana in Toronto, Cropover in Barbados, and Carnival in St Vincent; a global attraction that can be marketed to holiday makers from all corners of the planet! We’ve been enjoying Cup Match our entire lives, now we are finally ready to share this magical ritual with the world. There’s certainly no excuse not to!Gavin Smith echoes the vision when he states: “We aim to put Bermuda on the global stage as a must experience destination and Beach Fest as a must do event.” Indeed all four Pillars of Cup Match are destined to become must do events, and not exclusively for Bermudians either.For more information, and how to get into these events, check out their respective Facebook pages, or go to www.cupmatchbermuda.com for a comprehensive Cup Match events schedule.