(Eleuthera, The Bahamas) Residents and visitors to Harbour Island got an opportunity to celebrate all things Bahamian at the Ministry of Tourism’s annual Goombay Summer Festival on Friday, July 5th and Saturday, July 6th, 2019.
Working in collaboration with industry partners in Harbour Island to extend the itinerary of festivities beginning with the American Independence celebrations, Ministry of Tourism representatives capitalized on a major opportunity to showcase Bahamian music, food and culture all uniquely packaged to show what Harbour Island has to offer.
“The event has grown exponentially in Harbour Island”, said Ministry of Tourism Harbour Island Manager, June Dean. “Last year we attracted more than 400 visitors and we expect to double those numbers this year.”
The Goombay Summer Festival showcases various cultural delights like traditional Goombay Dancers, Ring Play, Rake n’ Scrape Bands, Limbo and Fire Dancers, food demonstrations, Androsia Fashion, a Kids’ Corner, Magic Man, Face Painters, People to People Booth, a thrilling Junkanoo Rush Out and a live concert featuring popular local performers.
“Highlighting elements of Bahamian culture is always cause for celebration and this festival is no exception to that”, said Ministry of Tourism Senior Manager of Communications, Rissie Demeritte. “It gives Bahamians a reason to come together and allows for visitors to indulge in elements that make the Bahamian culture truly unique.”
Goombay Summer Festival will be held throughout various Islands of the Bahamas including the Berry Islands, San Salvador, Bimini as well as on the mainland in Eleuthera from now until the end of August. Goombay Summer Festival’s ultimate event will take place in Governor’s Harbour, Central Eleuthera on August 31st at Bayfront Park, with headliners, Blaudy and Fanshawn Evans performing with Blue Waters Entertainment (live band), along with Fire Dancer ‘Venus’, also featuring a Junkanoo rushout, other local entertainment, as well as cultural games and activities.
