GUEST COMMENTARY: BY EUREKA McKINNEY
SOUTH ANDROS — The community of South Andros came alive over the long August 4 –7 holiday weekend as guests and family members of South Andros descent from across The Bahamas and the United States gathered to take part in the Goombay Summer Festival and South Andros Family Reunion.
The South Andros and Mangrove Cay Ministry of Tourism Office kicked off its annual Goombay Summer Festival on Friday evening, August 4, at the Regatta Site at The Bluff. Festivalgoers were transported by bus from the various settlements to join in the festivities. This event showcased the rich Androsian culture through live music, dance performances, cultural games, competitions and authentic local cuisine. Food vendors did a brisk business serving up crab ‘n dough, stuffed crab backs, crab soup, crab ‘n rice, conch freegagy, minced lobster and fried fish, to name a few.
In a series of fun competitions, festivalgoers were thrilled to display their skills in coconut barking, sugar cane peeling, crab catching, and conch cracking. The youth were delighted by the rake ‘n scrape dance competition and crocus sack race.
The Family Reunion featured a slate of activities: Saturday, August 5. was Family Fun-Day Beach Picnic in the morning and an African & Dashiki wear Dinner Banquet that evening. A special church service and brunch took place on Sunday, August 6., and the event closed out with a farewell breakfast on Monday, August 7.
Historically, August is a slower month for touristic activity on the island. The Family Reunion and Goombay Summer Festival together successfully attracted approximately 300 visiting family members and guests to South Andros, giving them the opportunity to reconnect and strengthen ties to their heritage through festival participation.
The South Andros and Mangrove Cay Tourism Team includes: Ms. Eureka McKinney, Mr. McRoy Wilson and Mr. Christopher Smith.
The Family Reunion Committee includes: Mr. Michael Thompson, Ms. Donnelisa Dorsett, Mr. Carnard Bethell, Mr. Litfield Rolle, Ms. Margie Mckinney and Mr. Otaine Woodside.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Eureka McKinney is the Assistant Manager of the Andros Tourist Office of The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation.
