Above: Island Harbour in Anguilla

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Anguilla is readying for its Festival Del Mar this weekend, an annual fete celebrating all things from the sea.

The event, which begins on Saturday and concludes Sunday evening, is located in the fishing village of Island Harbour on the country’s eastern tip.

The festival includes swimming races, crab races and an emphasis on culinary culture, with more than 30 local vendors featuring their seafood dishes.

Also on this year’s menu for the first time will be the invasive lionfish, which has been introduced to a number of menus across the island in a bid to help mitigate its population growth.

Saturday’s festivities conclude with the Into the Blue music festival, while two signature sailing races will be held over the weekend a well.