‘Egg and spoon’ and ‘bag’ races are just some of the extraordinary sporting events set for the second annual Western Union Payomatic Caribbean Sports Day in Queens next month.

According to event coordinator, Mike Mullings of M&M Entertainment Productions, the aim of the August 12th event at the Idlewild Park in Rosedale, Queens, is to recapture the nostalgia of sports day in the region which many first generation Caribbean nationals in New York grew up experiencing.

“It’s about reconnecting and bringing back that traditional feeling,” said Mullings, adding that the all day event will feature not just unconventional races but also the conventional soccer, netball and dominoes competition ahead of the annual Jamaican Independence observances in New York City next month.

Western Union representative, Garfield Comrie, said his company was sponsoring the event for the second consecutive year because it believes in social responsibility and “giving back to the community” which sends over US$5 billion to the region annually.

“The Western Union Payomatic Caribbean Sports Day offers Caribbean nationals a unique opportunity of reliving the traditional culture of House Sports Day which so many of us grew up loving and participating in,” added Comrie. “After all, when last can most Caribbean nationals here say they saw an ‘Egg & Spoon’ race or a crocus bag race?”

Egg and spoon races are run by individuals holding an egg in a spoon. The competitor must reach the finish line without dropping the egg. Bag races are run by individuals wearing a sack on the lower half of their bodies as they try desperately to reach the finish line quickly.

Nationals of the Caribbean account for a large number of the
foreign born population of New York City foreign and continue to make great strides as
entrepreneurs and homeowners. In one area of Queens, NY alone, their annual earnings are more than both native born black and white Americans according to the US Census’
recent American Community Survey report.

Teams interested in registering to participate in the event are urged to call M&M at 516-860-7542. There is an entry fee of $250 per six-side soccer teams while net ball teams will be charged $100 to enter. Teams will compete for a winning prize of $1,000.