The Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation and The Bahamas Chinese Dragon Boat Association are proud to jointly announce the highly anticipated 2nd Annual Dragon Boat Festival, set to take place 30 Sept - 1 Oct 2023, at Goodman's Bay in Nassau, Bahamas.

Building on the resounding success of the Inaugural Bahamas Dragon Boat Festival held in August 2022, this year's event promises to be even more exhilarating and engaging. The organizers, who recently attended the Pan American Club Crew Championships in Panama, have extended invitations to nearly 90 dragon boat teams from various countries, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico, Brazil and Trinidad & Tobago, all of whom have expressed keen interest in participating in The Bahamas’ second edition of the Dragon Boat Festival. Last year, 21 teams participate in the inaugural event. The organizers are optimistic about an even larger turnout this year.

Dragon boating is a fun-filled, adrenaline pumping, water sports activity, which originated in ancient China and is now the fastest growing water sport in the world. Teams compete in Dragon Boats, which are large canoe-like vessels oufitted with ornately carved dragons' heads and tails and accommodate 14-person teams consisting of 10 paddlers, 1 drummer, 1 helmsperson and 2 persons in reserve. The paddlers sit in pairs to compete over distances of 200m, 500m and more. Each boat has a drummer beating time to keep the paddlers stroking in unison and the helmsperson guiding the boat focused.

"Set against our crystal blue waters, the Dragon Boat Festival symbolizes a vibrant fusion of cultures, competition, and camaraderie. It is a celebration of our Chinese-Bahamian community but also an invitation for visitors to delve into the richness of Bahamian heritage found on our shores. As the global teams gather, we revel in tradition, sportsmanship, and the allure of our islands," said Director General Latia Duncombe of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation.

This event is being supported Excellency Dai Qingli, Ambassador of The People’s Republic of China to The Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Proceeds from this event will be contributed to the Cancer Society of The Bahamas.

The races at the 2nd Annual Dragon Boat Festival will be held in multiple categories, catering to diverse groups, including Under 18, Under 24, Breast Cancer Survivors, All Cancer Survivors, Open, and Seniors. Individual registration is also available for those paddlers who are interested in joining a team and participating in this thrilling event.

The host hotel is Breezes Bahamas, an all-inclusive resort on Cable Beach. Special rates are available to festival attendees starting from $125 per person for quad occupancy, $133 per person for triple occupancy, $145 per person for double occupancy and $238.50 per person for single occupancy. Rates include accommodations, all meals, all drinks, hotel taxes, and hotel amenities. For single and double occupancy bookings, interested persons may book online using the Promotion Code: DRAGON.

Alternatively, participants can explore other accommodation options at resorts such as Baha Mar - Grand Hyatt, SLS, and Rosewood Hotel, Margaritaville Resort, Warwick Hotel or various Airbnb accommodations.

The 2nd Annual Dragon Boat Festival promises to be an unforgettable experience, blending sportsmanship, culture and a charitable cause against the mesmerizing backdrop of The Bahamas.

For more information about the event, registration or sponsorship opportunities, please visit the official website at www.bcdragonboat.com, www.bahamas.com or www.tourismtoday.com.

The Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation and The Bahamas Chinese Dragon Boat Association are proud to jointly announce the highly anticipated 2nd Annual Dragon Boat Festival, set to take place 30 Sept - 1 Oct 2023, at Goodman's Bay in Nassau, Bahamas. Building on the resounding success of the Inaugural Bahamas Dragon Boat Festival held in August 2022, this year's event promises to be even more exhilarating and engaging. The organizers, who recently attended the Pan American Club Crew Championships in Panama, have extended invitations to nearly 90 dragon boat teams from various countries, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico, Brazil and Trinidad & Tobago, all of whom have expressed keen interest in participating in The Bahamas’ second edition of the Dragon Boat Festival. Last year, 21 teams participate in the inaugural event. The organizers are optimistic about an even larger turnout this year. Dragon boating is a fun-filled, adrenaline pumping, water sports activity, which originated in ancient China and is now the fastest growing water sport in the world. Teams compete in Dragon Boats, which are large canoe-like vessels oufitted with ornately carved dragons' heads and tails and accommodate 14-person teams consisting of 10 paddlers, 1 drummer, 1 helmsperson and 2 persons in reserve. The paddlers sit in pairs to compete over distances of 200m, 500m and more. Each boat has a drummer beating time to keep the paddlers stroking in unison and the helmsperson guiding the boat focused. "Set against our crystal blue waters, the Dragon Boat Festival symbolizes a vibrant fusion of cultures, competition, and camaraderie. It is a celebration of our Chinese-Bahamian community but also an invitation for visitors to delve into the richness of Bahamian heritage found on our shores. As the global teams gather, we revel in tradition, sportsmanship, and the allure of our islands," said Director General Latia Duncombe of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation. This event is being supported Excellency Dai Qingli, Ambassador of The People’s Republic of China to The Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Proceeds from this event will be contributed to the Cancer Society of The Bahamas. The races at the 2nd Annual Dragon Boat Festival will be held in multiple categories, catering to diverse groups, including Under 18, Under 24, Breast Cancer Survivors, All Cancer Survivors, Open, and Seniors. Individual registration is also available for those paddlers who are interested in joining a team and participating in this thrilling event. The host hotel is Breezes Bahamas, an all-inclusive resort on Cable Beach. Special rates are available to festival attendees starting from $125 per person for quad occupancy, $133 per person for triple occupancy, $145 per person for double occupancy and $238.50 per person for single occupancy. Rates include accommodations, all meals, all drinks, hotel taxes, and hotel amenities. For single and double occupancy bookings, interested persons may book online using the Promotion Code: DRAGON. Alternatively, participants can explore other accommodation options at resorts such as Baha Mar - Grand Hyatt, SLS, and Rosewood Hotel, Margaritaville Resort, Warwick Hotel or various Airbnb accommodations. The 2nd Annual Dragon Boat Festival promises to be an unforgettable experience, blending sportsmanship, culture and a charitable cause against the mesmerizing backdrop of The Bahamas. For more information about the event, registration or sponsorship opportunities, please visit the official website at www.bcdragonboat.com, www.bahamas.com or www.tourismtoday.com.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture the Hon. Mario Bowleg joined Acting Director of Culture Dereka Deleveaux-Grant, Head of the Division of Youth Sandena Neely, and Consultant Harrison Thompson in visiting several of his Ministry's Summer Camps, on July 24, 2023.  The Ministry's summer camps invited young people to spend the month of July engaged in a range of activity.

Minister Bowleg's first stop was the Fox Hill Community Center where Cultural Officer Terez Davis-Nixon taught a Drama Camp that worked on a production called "Jail House Rock".  Also present was Assistant Director of Culture Portia Sands.  

Next, it was on to Stephen Dillet Primary School, where Cultural Officer Henry Higgins led an All Boys Camp, where campers learned drumming, mechanics, sewing, Junkanoo pasting, limbo, and participated in police-led drill exercises.  

At C. R. Walker Senior  High School Camp Supervisor Jameel Lightbourne led a Baking Apprenticeship Camp, and the delegation sampled pumpkin rolls made by the students.  

Next, Agriculture Supervisor Shomekan Cargill and his students at the Agriculture Camp, held at H. O. Nash Junior High School, showed what they learned about animal husbandry and farming.  

At Garvin Tynes Primary School, Youth Officers Samantha Rahming and Rayette Spence held a General Youth Camp called "Camp I Matter."

And finally, at the end of this tour, at C. V. Bethel Senior High -- Minister Bowleg and his delegation interacted with students learning about visual arts, including mural painting; and at Dance Camp they viewed a brief showcase of choreographed, spirited movement.  

The camps came to a close with showcases and presentations held the following week. 

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture the Hon. Mario Bowleg joined Acting Director of Culture Dereka Deleveaux-Grant, Head of the Division of Youth Sandena Neely, and Consultant Harrison Thompson in visiting several of his Ministry's Summer Camps, on July 24, 2023.  The Ministry's summer camps invited young people to spend the month of July engaged in a range of activity. Minister Bowleg's first stop was the Fox Hill Community Center where Cultural Officer Terez Davis-Nixon taught a Drama Camp that worked on a production called "Jail House Rock".  Also present was Assistant Director of Culture Portia Sands.   Next, it was on to Stephen Dillet Primary School, where Cultural Officer Henry Higgins led an All Boys Camp, where campers learned drumming, mechanics, sewing, Junkanoo pasting, limbo, and participated in police-led drill exercises.   At C. R. Walker Senior  High School Camp Supervisor Jameel Lightbourne led a Baking Apprenticeship Camp, and the delegation sampled pumpkin rolls made by the students.   Next, Agriculture Supervisor Shomekan Cargill and his students at the Agriculture Camp, held at H. O. Nash Junior High School, showed what they learned about animal husbandry and farming.   At Garvin Tynes Primary School, Youth Officers Samantha Rahming and Rayette Spence held a General Youth Camp called "Camp I Matter." And finally, at the end of this tour, at C. V. Bethel Senior High -- Minister Bowleg and his delegation interacted with students learning about visual arts, including mural painting; and at Dance Camp they viewed a brief showcase of choreographed, spirited movement.   The camps came to a close with showcases and presentations held the following week. 

Acting Prime Minister, the Hon. Chester said The Bahamas Museum of Junkanoo will keep Junkanoo alive in between the Boxing Day and New Year’s Day Parades, as well as help to commercialize and monetize Junkanoo which is a huge part of the country’s cultural identity.

“Junkanoo of course is a truly spectacular event that never fails to amaze.  It is one of our favourite pastimes that we all recognize.  We have included it in all of our major events whether it is a Christening, funeral, party, graduation, holiday or homecoming,” the Acting Prime Minister said during the Grand Opening of the museum at the Nassau Cruise Port, Wednesday, July 5, 2023.

He explained that the museum is truly world class and he is very excited about the significant possibilities, and what it will do to drive more organizations in celebration of Junkanoo not just in The Bahamas and Nassau.

The Acting Prime Minister said, “We love Junkanoo and we are proud of it; therefore we must protect, preserve, commemorate and nurture it.  Today, we are making significant steps in all of those directions.

“We have a duty to protect it, whether it is the government, individuals, corporate or all who love our country and all who love our culture.”

The Acting Prime Minister said he calls what the museum will offer, “edutainment”, because he believes that it is not just going to be entertainment, but it is going to be educational as well.

CEO and Director Nassau Cruise Port Ltd. and Chairman, Nassau Container Port, Mike Maura said the Nassau Cruise Port will welcome over 4.2 million cruise visitors in 2023, and it has cruise line confirmations for 4.6 million visitors in 2024.

Mr. Maura also noted that the Nassau Cruise Port is the single largest transit cruise port in the world.

“With millions of visitors arriving in Nassau annually, we wanted to place a special part of our culture and heritage steps away from the busiest tourism gateway in The Bahamas.”

He said, “The fact is that visitors to our Bahamas are in search of authentic experiences, and our own Junkanoo Museum will most certainly satisfy that need.”

Mr. Maura said guidance was sought from persons with a deep and respected understanding of Junkanoo.  They were looking for persons who could speak to Junkanoo’s history, meaning, significance and value to the country before embarking on establishing a Junkanoo Museum at the Nassau Cruise Port.

“We were blessed with the support of two cultural icons, Mrs. Arlene Nash-Ferguson and Mr. Percy Vola ‘Saxon’ Francis.” 

He added, “As our Junkanoo Museum evolved, we searched for creative, passionate, capable educators and storytellers who would not just produce our concept, but would take it to a completely different level and we were once again blessed.”

Also attending the event were Governor General His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Cornelius A. Smith; Mrs. Ann Marie Davis, wife of Prime Minister the Hon. Philip Davis; Mrs. Cecilia Cooper, wife of the Acting Prime Minister; Former Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Hubert Ingraham; Former Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie; Mrs. Rosel and Dr. Beverton Moxey who both played pivotal roles in the establishment of the museum and Ambassador to the United Mexican States Her Excellency Sharon Wilson.

Acting Prime Minister, the Hon. Chester said The Bahamas Museum of Junkanoo will keep Junkanoo alive in between the Boxing Day and New Year’s Day Parades, as well as help to commercialize and monetize Junkanoo which is a huge part of the country’s cultural identity. “Junkanoo of course is a truly spectacular event that never fails to amaze.  It is one of our favourite pastimes that we all recognize.  We have included it in all of our major events whether it is a Christening, funeral, party, graduation, holiday or homecoming,” the Acting Prime Minister said during the Grand Opening of the museum at the Nassau Cruise Port, Wednesday, July 5, 2023. He explained that the museum is truly world class and he is very excited about the significant possibilities, and what it will do to drive more organizations in celebration of Junkanoo not just in The Bahamas and Nassau. The Acting Prime Minister said, “We love Junkanoo and we are proud of it; therefore we must protect, preserve, commemorate and nurture it.  Today, we are making significant steps in all of those directions.   “We have a duty to protect it, whether it is the government, individuals, corporate or all who love our country and all who love our culture.” The Acting Prime Minister said he calls what the museum will offer, “edutainment”, because he believes that it is not just going to be entertainment, but it is going to be educational as well. CEO and Director Nassau Cruise Port Ltd. and Chairman, Nassau Container Port, Mike Maura said the Nassau Cruise Port will welcome over 4.2 million cruise visitors in 2023, and it has cruise line confirmations for 4.6 million visitors in 2024. Mr. Maura also noted that the Nassau Cruise Port is the single largest transit cruise port in the world. “With millions of visitors arriving in Nassau annually, we wanted to place a special part of our culture and heritage steps away from the busiest tourism gateway in The Bahamas.” He said, “The fact is that visitors to our Bahamas are in search of authentic experiences, and our own Junkanoo Museum will most certainly satisfy that need.” Mr. Maura said guidance was sought from persons with a deep and respected understanding of Junkanoo.  They were looking for persons who could speak to Junkanoo’s history, meaning, significance and value to the country before embarking on establishing a Junkanoo Museum at the Nassau Cruise Port. “We were blessed with the support of two cultural icons, Mrs. Arlene Nash-Ferguson and Mr. Percy Vola ‘Saxon’ Francis.”    He added, “As our Junkanoo Museum evolved, we searched for creative, passionate, capable educators and storytellers who would not just produce our concept, but would take it to a completely different level and we were once again blessed.” Also attending the event were Governor General His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Cornelius A. Smith; Mrs. Ann Marie Davis, wife of Prime Minister the Hon. Philip Davis; Mrs. Cecilia Cooper, wife of the Acting Prime Minister; Former Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Hubert Ingraham; Former Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie; Mrs. Rosel and Dr. Beverton Moxey who both played pivotal roles in the establishment of the museum and Ambassador to the United Mexican States Her Excellency Sharon Wilson.

The Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture will host its annual Summer Youth Employment Programme in New Providence and Grand Bahama, to run from Monday, 3rd July to Friday, 28th July, 2023. Young persons will be employed by the Division of Youth, the Department of Sports and the Division of Cultural Affairs in a wide variety of areas and disciplines including, Camp Aides (ages 15-17), Youth and Culture Apprenticeships (ages 15 to 25) and summer students in our Corporate Placement and Internship programmes (ages 15 to 25).

The New Providence programme is accepting online and physical applications as indicated on the flyers, whereas the Grand Bahama programme will utilize paper application forms.

All forms must be completed in full. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Applications open today, Tuesday, 23rd May and closes as follows: Monday June 5th (Culture) Wednesday, June 7th (Youth) and Friday June 9th (Sports), or before, if programme is fully subscribed.

The following required supporting documents must be uploaded/submitted with the application form: 1. Current passport-sized Photograph; 2. Current Police Certificate (18 years and over); 3. Copy of National Insurance Card; 4. Copy of data pages of a valid Passport, Birth Certificate or Registered Affidavit; 5. Copy of College/University Identification Card (if applicable); 6. Copies of all education certifications and documents (listed in Section 2); 7. Personal banking information (bank name, branch, account number). Please note that it is extremely important that bank information cards are submitted, otherwise application will not be accepted. Bank account holder must be in the name of the applicant. *A resume must also be submitted for the Corporate Placement and Internship Programmes.

New Providence applicants can access the online application forms via https://bit.ly/453ROoe, http://bitly.ws/F9G7, and http://bitly.ws/F9FU, our Ministry’s Facebook or by using the QR codes on the attached flyers. Please note that submission of application does not guarantee employment.

The Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture will host its annual Summer Youth Employment Programme in New Providence and Grand Bahama, to run from Monday, 3rd July to Friday, 28th July, 2023. Young persons will be employed by the Division of Youth, the Department of Sports and the Division of Cultural Affairs in a wide variety of areas and disciplines including, Camp Aides (ages 15-17), Youth and Culture Apprenticeships (ages 15 to 25) and summer students in our Corporate Placement and Internship programmes (ages 15 to 25). The New Providence programme is accepting online and physical applications as indicated on the flyers, whereas the Grand Bahama programme will utilize paper application forms. All forms must be completed in full. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Applications open today, Tuesday, 23rd May and closes as follows: Monday June 5th (Culture) Wednesday, June 7th (Youth) and Friday June 9th (Sports), or before, if programme is fully subscribed. The following required supporting documents must be uploaded/submitted with the application form: 1. Current passport-sized Photograph; 2. Current Police Certificate (18 years and over); 3. Copy of National Insurance Card; 4. Copy of data pages of a valid Passport, Birth Certificate or Registered Affidavit; 5. Copy of College/University Identification Card (if applicable); 6. Copies of all education certifications and documents (listed in Section 2); 7. Personal banking information (bank name, branch, account number). Please note that it is extremely important that bank information cards are submitted, otherwise application will not be accepted. Bank account holder must be in the name of the applicant. *A resume must also be submitted for the Corporate Placement and Internship Programmes. New Providence applicants can access the online application forms via https://bit.ly/453ROoe, http://bitly.ws/F9G7, and http://bitly.ws/F9FU, our Ministry’s Facebook or by using the QR codes on the attached flyers. Please note that submission of application does not guarantee employment.