Complete with 11-string plaiting, box car racing, a limbo fire show, and the sounds of music legends, the Bahamian Music and Heritage Festival celebrated its 10th anniversary with a diverse display that brought large numbers of visitors to Exuma.
The country's rich heritage and culture took center stage as the unique sights, sounds, tastes, and customs of the people of Exuma brought the historic Regatta Park in George Town to life. A mix of longstanding traditions and the latest in Bahamian music and cuisine depicted this year's festival theme, "The Year of Culture: 10 Years of Sharing Our Culture and Heritage... the Celebration Continues".
Straw work, coconut craft, jewelry made of indigenous materials, and Bahamian artifacts were on display for scores of locals and international visitors who attended the recent three-day event.
The Ministry of Tourism and the festival team added a "Learn how to..." segment to this year's festival, allowing patrons to participate in an array of exciting activities that included baking bread in a rock oven, making conch salad, ring play, conch beating, and sugar cane peeling.
The sounds of praise and worship marked the official opening of the festival on its first night, with popular Bahamian gospel artists performing their latest hits during the gospel and cultural jamboree.
The secular nights boasted high-energy performances by some of the best in Bahamian music, Puzzle, Iris Storr and the Spank Band, Avvy, Funky D, Nita Ellis, and Stileeto, who were a hit with patrons. In addition, king of limbo Action Jackson stole the show. The long-time entertainer invited visitors on stage to assist him with his daring fire and limbo act that proved to be a crowd pleaser.
Jeff and Stacy Ledger-Wood, a couple from Tampa, Florida, attended the festival for the fifth year in a row and danced each night away to the sounds of rake and scrape. They said the Exuma Cays, the warmth and friendliness of the residents, and the explosion of culture at the festival keeps them coming back.
"We wouldn't miss it," said Jeff Ledger-Wood. "It's great music that we don't get back in Tampa. It's home-grown and there are some great artists here every night."
General Manager of the Exuma Tourist Office Petherina Hanna said this year showed an increased number of patrons at the festival with thousands entering the gates over the three-day period.
"We really went out on a limb this year," she said. "You had people come in from every major island in The Bahamas, people coming from the keys, visitors who were calling our office since last year asking for the dates so they could plan their vacation around this event. The 'Big 10' is a huge success," she said.
Director of Events at the Ministry of Tourism Charity Armbrister has been involved in the festival since its inception in 2005. She said the festival's success over the past 10 years exceeded her expectations.
"It means so much to the people of Exuma. They rely on this event, next to the Exuma regatta. Most of the hotels are filled. It is nearly impossible to find a car, and the vendors make a lot of money. It has made a great impact on the island," said Armbrister.

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