Members of the Stuart Fishing Club are seen enjoying the close out of Goombay Summer in West End on Saturday night. (BIS Photo/Vandyke Hepburn)

Residents and visitors alike gathered in West Grand Bahama for the closing of the Goombay Summer Festival.

General Manager of Blue Marlin Cove, Fred Moss, says taking the members of the Stuart Fishing Club to West End was a way for the many visitors to experience Bahamian culture.

The group of 66 yachts, most of which were first time visitors to The Bahamas, were at Blue Marlin Cove for four days and experienced all things Bahamian.

After experiencing  Bahamian culture, Moss adds the group has already expressed an interest in returning next year and with the Stuart Fishing Club being one of the largest clubs in the United States, the potential is great.

"With 1,500 plus members, after the Goombay Festival last night (Saturday), West End is in. My only fear is room space, which is a good problem to have, but we need more rooms."

Moss explains the experience that was given to the group. "We opted to do nothing American. Everything was 100 percent Bahamian. Their first buffet was grilled lobster, cracked conch, conch salad, peas and rice, potato salad, macaroni and cheese and Junkanoo."

The event was so successful, there was a demand for the same menu the following night.

Not only did they have a taste of The Bahamas at the hotel property, but the group was bussed to West End on Saturday for the closing of final night of Goombay Summer Festival.

Junkanoo was a part of the end of the Goombay Summer Festival in West End on Saturday evening as residents and visitors alike gathered for good food and fun. (BIS Photo/Vandyke Hepburn)

By Robyn Adderley

Bahamas Information Services