Cat Island will be bringing the fun! The island known for its rake and scrape influences will be rocking this weekend with something for everyone going on at the New Bight Regatta Site. Because nothing quite says there's going to be a "party in the backyard" than when Bahamian entertainers like Terez, K.B., Lassie Doh Boys, Ancient Man and Veronica Bishop come together on one stage, at one venue.
This Emancipation holiday weekend is the perfect weekend to experience a real Bahamian down home fest at the Cat Island Regatta with parties all around the island through Monday, August 1. You can get your groove on to good old Bahamian music and experience the real island charm and festivities in the rake 'n' scrape capital.
"It's an island hopping kind of weekend and the next big stop is Cat Island" says organizer Maxwell Burrows. "The island known for its rake and scrape influences will be rocking this weekend.
"There will be something for everyone going on," says Burrows, organizer of the Cat Island Regatta. "Kids, adults -- everyone will have a grand old time. If you aren't there for the main event, the sloop racing, then what's happening on the ground will have you excited just as much. We have so many activities, great entertainers and of course food to keep you going all weekend long."
From beer drinking contests, to crab catching, conch cracking, climbing the greasy pole, watermelon eating, bingo and hoopla, to the egg and spoon race, there's a competition for everyone to participate in.
With native delicacies in abundance to be had, you can eat your fill of crab 'n' rice, peas 'n' rice, mutton, fried chicken, baked chicken, fried fish, macaroni, potato salad and even salads made from native ingredients. The must-have weekend dessert will be Cat Island's famous flour cake -- a small sweet biscuit-like cake that anyone visiting Cat Island must have. If you are just looking for a traditional sweet tooth fix other pastries like guava duff, bennie cake, coconut cakes, pineapple or coconut tarts and of course pound cake will be on the menu.
"When you get tired and want to just relax you can entertain yourself by watching the main attraction, the sloop sailing, at 2 p.m. on Saturday," says Burrows. "This will be an amazing race and we have top notch boats like "Who Dat," "Red Stripe," "Southern Cross," "Cobra," "Lady Margaret," and "Sweet Island Gal" among many other boats going head to head for the coveted regatta trophy.
"It's just going to be a great and amazing weekend and you will not want to miss it," said the organizer.
The Cat Island Regatta has attracted thousands of people returning home as well as visitors over the years. People who have experienced it says it is one of the best homecomings out there -- fun as well as relaxing.
"Fun! That's what I think of when I imagine going to the Cat Island festival," says 24-year-old Victorine Campbell. "I haven't been in ages but when I was younger it was the 'hotness'. I still remember all the games and the good food. I remember sitting on the bay watching the boats sail by. It was truly amazing. I am hoping to go this weekend since my family is going down too. I am excited especially since there are so many great entertainers performing who will make the event even greater. This is going to be awesome."
Kevyn Sanderson, 29, a self-confessed Regatta junkie who has regatta-hopped around the country won't be missing the Cat Island affair which he says is one of his favorites.
"It's a quiet place usually that just springs to life at times like these. It's really amazing and I just love how I feel when I go there. I don't know what it is about it that keeps me going back, but I will absolutely be there this weekend."
THE CAT ISLAND PARTY
When: Friday, July 29 - Monday, August 1
Where: New Bight Regatta Site, Cat Island
Time: 8 a.m. - until
Entrance: Free, Concert Tickets $5
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