From musical chairs, to sack races, a washing competition, to skipping rope, the egg and spoon race, a needle and thread race, hula hooping to kite flying, ring play, and Bahamian story telling – activities abound for the young and the young at heart, at this weekend’s Tru-Tru Bahamian Festival.
The Bahamas Hotel Tourism Association (BHTA) has teamed up with officials from the Ministry of Tourism to not only bring a true Bahamian experience, but to showcase the history and glamor of Charlestown, which is now the city of Nassau. The festival promises to be a true rendition of Bahamian culture through food, drinks, games for children, and live music.
The Tru-Tru Bahamian Festival will be held today at the John Watling’s Distillery, at the historic Buena Vista Estate at Delancy Street, between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Vendors present at this first Tru-Tru Bahamian Festival will include Kalik, Graycliff, Sands Beer, John Watling’s Bar, Bahama Hand Prints, Maxie’s Homemade Jams Jellies Glazes, Print Tingz, Pic Me Photo, The Batter Girls, Bar 20 Bistro, Paradise Salads, Miss Dee’s Bahamian Kitchen, Driftwood Café, Island Gyals Food, All Kinda Duff and Bahamian Stuff, Limemade, Dino’s Gourmet Conch Salad, Lil Laura Fresh Fruit Smoothies, Sweet Ting in Da Can, Island Cane, Divine Flavor, Pop Stop, Mr. Mix Bahamas, Conchy Joes, Island Daiquiris and Ridge Farms.
Charity Armbrister, director of events at the Ministry of Tourism, said the Tru-Tru Bahamian Festival is something that the Ministry of Tourism is proud to be a part of.
“We have the Family Island team coming down to showcase everything Bahamian; [and] we will have Ms. Ruthann Rolle, who will be showcasing the Kids Corner. It is very important for the Ministry of Tourism to be a part of an event such as this. We’ve heard that visitors say that there is not that much to do and so this adds to our calendar,” she said.
Gerald Cash Primary School’s Rake and Scrape Band, the Royal Bahamas Police Force Band, the College of The Bahamas Jam Session Band, Ira Storr and the Spank Band and C.R. Walker Senior High School Junkanoo Parade will all make an appearance at the festival.
Pepin Argamasilla, managing partner at John Watling’s Distillery said he and his team were excited for the festival.
“Historic Charlestown was founded on this hill. What we want to do is build on the historic culture that this country has to offer. John Watling’s is located at the Buena Vista Estate. The Buena Vista has seen it all and for this Tru-Tru Festival to come to Buena Vista is kind of a natural fit because it’s all the culture coming together for these past 225 years,” said Argamasilla.
Carlton Russell, chairman of the Tru-Tru Bahamian Festival Committee said it’s an event that would continue to be a movement in the future.
“We wanted to bring everyone on the same platform — artisans, straw vendors, taxi drivers and hotels so we can fellowship, because we don’t have a platform to fellowship and we also wanted to showcase what we do as Bahamians. There are many other festivals out there and they are not so true-true Bahamian,” he said. “We wanted to go back to our roots.”
Also operating booths will be Lignum Centre of Hope, College of The Bahamas Visual Arts, Beaugard Land and Sea Designs, Le Pointe and Historic Charles Town, Bahamas National Trust, Dolphin Encounters, BahamaGo, Cable Bahamas, Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board, Paradise Island Tourism Development Association, Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board, Bahamas Out Island Tourism Board, Ministry of Tourism, National Art Gallery of The Bahamas, Bahama Hand Prints, Baha Gala, Poinciana Paper Press, Naturally Bahamian, and Mega Mergers Apprenticeship Program.
Heavenly Palms, Alia Dean, Everything Comes Up Art, Amani Nefertari Designs, A’Louise Designs, Celestine’s Woodcarvins, Mattie’s Authentic, Wrapped in Elegance/Coco Reef, Kirk Deal and Fiona’s Creations will also be featured.
The children’s corner will showcase Seahorse Face Painting, Mortimer Candies, Bahamas Humane Society, Ardastra Gardens, Dolphin Cay Touch Tank and Looney Toones Ice Cream and Coffee.
Admission is $5 adults, $3 children (12 and under). Parking is available at the Ministry of Health.
TRU-TRU BAHAMIAN FESTIVAL SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES
11 a.m. — Gate opens
12 noon — Kids competitions begin (musical chairs, sack race, washing competition, skipping rope)
12:30 p.m. — Plaiting the maypole
1 p.m. — Kids competitions continue (egg and spoon race, needle and thread race, hula hoop, and dance like a Bahamian)
2 p.m. — Gerald Cash Primary School Rake and Scrape Band
2:30 p.m. — Royal Bahamas Police Force Band
3 p.m. — Official opening
3:30 p.m. — Plaiting the maypol
4 p.m. — Kids and adult activities (kite flying, Bahamian storytelling, ring play, bush medicine medley, fruit and tree) and St. Francis Xavier Church Choir
5 p.m. — College of The Bahamas Jam Session Band
6 p.m. — Ira Storr and the Spank Band
7 p.m. — C.R. Walker Senior High School Junkanoo Parade and closing
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