Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey said the Ministry for Grand Bahama is committed to promoting and preserving the cultural heritage of Grand Bahama Island, and events like the Coconut Festival are an essential part of that mission. 

Minister Moxey was the keynote speaker at the short opening ceremony for the 23rd Coconut Festival in Pelican Point on Monday, April 10, 2023. She said that she could have thought of no better way to spend the Easter Monday holiday than in the beautiful settlement of Pelican Point, celebrating community, culture, and all the ways her Ministry has been working to preserve that culture.

In spite of the threat of a few showers, hundreds of Grand Bahamians and visitors travelled to Pelican Point on Monday for the annual Festival to enjoy native dishes, treats, Bahamian music and the beautiful beach, which provides the unique backdrop for the all-Bahamian experience.

This was the second year since the COVID-19 Pandemic and lockdowns that the festival made its comeback and from the turnout, the bounce back continues to be strong.

Minister Moxey acknowledged the hard work of so many people, groups and organizations who made the return of the Coconut Festival such a success, including the Grand Bahama Coconut Festival Committee, the team at the Ministry for Grand Bahama, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, and most importantly the community of Pelican Point.

“I cannot overstate how excited I am to see the willingness to show up for your community and share our culture with visitors from near and far, with open arms,” said Minister Moxey.

“I would also like to recognize the efforts of ‘Beautiful Grand Bahama’, an initiative launched by the Ministry for Grand Bahama’s Collab Unit, that played an integral role in the return of Coconut Festival to the Pelican Point Community, last year.”

 

Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey said the Ministry for Grand Bahama is committed to promoting and preserving the cultural heritage of Grand Bahama Island, and events like the Coconut Festival are an essential part of that mission.   Minister Moxey was the keynote speaker at the short opening ceremony for the 23rd Coconut Festival in Pelican Point on Monday, April 10, 2023. She said that she could have thought of no better way to spend the Easter Monday holiday than in the beautiful settlement of Pelican Point, celebrating community, culture, and all the ways her Ministry has been working to preserve that culture. In spite of the threat of a few showers, hundreds of Grand Bahamians and visitors travelled to Pelican Point on Monday for the annual Festival to enjoy native dishes, treats, Bahamian music and the beautiful beach, which provides the unique backdrop for the all-Bahamian experience. This was the second year since the COVID-19 Pandemic and lockdowns that the festival made its comeback and from the turnout, the bounce back continues to be strong. Minister Moxey acknowledged the hard work of so many people, groups and organizations who made the return of the Coconut Festival such a success, including the Grand Bahama Coconut Festival Committee, the team at the Ministry for Grand Bahama, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, and most importantly the community of Pelican Point.   “I cannot overstate how excited I am to see the willingness to show up for your community and share our culture with visitors from near and far, with open arms,” said Minister Moxey.   “I would also like to recognize the efforts of ‘Beautiful Grand Bahama’, an initiative launched by the Ministry for Grand Bahama’s Collab Unit, that played an integral role in the return of Coconut Festival to the Pelican Point Community, last year.”

The Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (MOTIA) is excited to announce its signature event, the 4th Annual Long Island Mutton Festival, a two-day cultural extravaganza slated for 24 -25 March 2023. Following a two-year break due to the COVID – 19 pandemic, this staple cultural event returns bigger and more vibrant, with  Junkanoo rushout and live entertainment headlined by the country’s top performing artists, a culinary feast, fun contests and traditional games for all ages , a farmer’s market and authentic souvenir craft, all taking place at the Festival Site at Salt Pond, in Central Long Island . 

“Each of our 16 island destinations has its own unique personality,” said Latia Duncombe, Director General of MOTIA. “The Mutton Festival offers residents and visitors alike the delightful opportunity to immerse themselves in the distinctive culture of Long Island.”  “The memorable experience of the Long Island Mutton Festival is one that cannot be had anywhere else in The Bahamas,” she added.

Long Island is renowned across The Bahamas for its delectable mutton dishes.  For food and drink lovers, there will be close to a dozen vendors with a variety of native dishes and beverages to choose from. A wide range of mutton dishes will be prepared on site, including mutton souse, curried mutton, baked mutton, mutton kabobs, mutton fried rice, mutton fritters, everything mutton!

Festivalgoers can look forward to two days filled with live entertainment by top Bahamian artists Geno D and Melo D, fire dancers and a showstopping Junkanoo rushout. 

Each day of the Festival, there will be loads of fun activities and friendly competitions, including blind folded obstacle course, corn chucking contest, sack race, egg and spoon, conch race, trivia, judging of animals, and a culinary competition. Cash prizes, trophies, medals and gift bags will be awarded to trivia and culinary competition winners. A special Kiddie Corner will engage young ones in interactive games, activities and storytelling. 

On Friday, the Festival opens with a farmers market featuring a wide array of the island’s produce and authentic souvenir craft.  For the animal lovers, animals will be on full display, with a free photo op for children to take photos holding a lamb. 

Festival hours are 2 p.m. to midnight on Friday, 24 March and 8 a.m. to midnight on Saturday, 25 March.  Long Island Junior Minister will emcee the opening ceremony on Friday, 24 March. 

Entry is free for this event. There will be free Wi-Fi on site.

The Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation invites residents and visitors to come and enjoy an immersive authentic Long Island style experience with family and friends.

For more information and save the dates, visit Bahamas.com and TourismToday.com 

The Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (MOTIA) is excited to announce its signature event, the 4th Annual Long Island Mutton Festival, a two-day cultural extravaganza slated for 24 -25 March 2023. Following a two-year break due to the COVID – 19 pandemic, this staple cultural event returns bigger and more vibrant, with  Junkanoo rushout and live entertainment headlined by the country’s top performing artists, a culinary feast, fun contests and traditional games for all ages , a farmer’s market and authentic souvenir craft, all taking place at the Festival Site at Salt Pond, in Central Long Island .  “Each of our 16 island destinations has its own unique personality,” said Latia Duncombe, Director General of MOTIA. “The Mutton Festival offers residents and visitors alike the delightful opportunity to immerse themselves in the distinctive culture of Long Island.”  “The memorable experience of the Long Island Mutton Festival is one that cannot be had anywhere else in The Bahamas,” she added.     Long Island is renowned across The Bahamas for its delectable mutton dishes.  For food and drink lovers, there will be close to a dozen vendors with a variety of native dishes and beverages to choose from. A wide range of mutton dishes will be prepared on site, including mutton souse, curried mutton, baked mutton, mutton kabobs, mutton fried rice, mutton fritters, everything mutton! Festivalgoers can look forward to two days filled with live entertainment by top Bahamian artists Geno D and Melo D, fire dancers and a showstopping Junkanoo rushout.  Each day of the Festival, there will be loads of fun activities and friendly competitions, including blind folded obstacle course, corn chucking contest, sack race, egg and spoon, conch race, trivia, judging of animals, and a culinary competition. Cash prizes, trophies, medals and gift bags will be awarded to trivia and culinary competition winners. A special Kiddie Corner will engage young ones in interactive games, activities and storytelling.  On Friday, the Festival opens with a farmers market featuring a wide array of the island’s produce and authentic souvenir craft.  For the animal lovers, animals will be on full display, with a free photo op for children to take photos holding a lamb.  Festival hours are 2 p.m. to midnight on Friday, 24 March and 8 a.m. to midnight on Saturday, 25 March.  Long Island Junior Minister will emcee the opening ceremony on Friday, 24 March.  Entry is free for this event. There will be free Wi-Fi on site. The Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation invites residents and visitors to come and enjoy an immersive authentic Long Island style experience with family and friends. For more information and save the dates, visit Bahamas.com and TourismToday.com 

 

HRH Prince Edward, The Earl of Wessex and Forfar, and HRH Sophie, Countess of Wessex and Forfar, attended the Gold Award Ceremony for the Governor General’s Youth Award (GGYA) programme at Breezes Resort Bahamas, Thursday, February 23, 2023.

Prince Edward serves as Chair of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Awards Foundation.   

GGYA was initially known as the 'Bahamas Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme,' but in 1996 was re-named the 'Governor General's Youth Award.' 

Patron of GGYA, Governor General HE the Most Hon. Sir Cornelius A. Smith extolled the benefits of the programme.

The Duke of Edinburgh's International Awards Foundation has funded five special projects in The Bahamas, and is available to all young people throughout the country.

It aims to equip the youth with life skills to make a difference to themselves, their communities and their country.  The Gold level starts at age 16 and takes at least 12 months for Silver level participants working in Service, Skills and Physical Recreation to climb to that pinnacle -- 'Gold.'

The Prince congratulated the Gold Award recipients for completing the program.

He said, “You can sit here and look at that certificate and look back on all your achievements.  I am guessing there were times when you were wondering why you were doing it before you got halfway through the adventurous journey, but it is a fantastic thing when you get to the end.”

The Prince also thanked the Governor General for his continued patronage of the Awards.  “It is fantastic that your office continues to support the Governor General’s Award here in The Bahamas. It makes a huge difference to the young people here to know that it has that level, support, and recognition.”

He also recognized all who supported the awardees including parents, other government ministries and program volunteers.

The Governor General said for him the opportunity to recognize the work and efforts of the young people is simply unparalleled. 

He said, “I am encouraged to learn that more than 30,000 young Bahamians have through this program engaged in community service, in physical recreation, they acquired new skills, they attended adventurous journeys, and they achieved Bronze, Silver and tonight, Gold.”

The Governor General noted that in 2019, he added a volunteer component to the program, which exists to encompass, encourage and to celebrate those individuals in civic and religious organizations who contribute to a better Bahamas through volunteering and giving of their time, talents, resources and efforts without expectation of any reward.

“Simply put, the purpose is to inculcate, to inspire and sustain a culture of volunteerism through The Bahamas.”

Proud parents, guardians, government ministers and officials, staff involved with the GGYA were all on hand to celebrate the 13 awardees.

The Prince also made a special presentation to Alicia Owens for the work she has done on behalf of the program.

 

HRH Prince Edward, The Earl of Wessex and Forfar, and HRH Sophie, Countess of Wessex and Forfar, attended the Gold Award Ceremony for the Governor General’s Youth Award (GGYA) programme at Breezes Resort Bahamas, Thursday, February 23, 2023. Prince Edward serves as Chair of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Awards Foundation.    GGYA was initially known as the 'Bahamas Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme,' but in 1996 was re-named the 'Governor General's Youth Award.'  Patron of GGYA, Governor General HE the Most Hon. Sir Cornelius A. Smith extolled the benefits of the programme. The Duke of Edinburgh's International Awards Foundation has funded five special projects in The Bahamas, and is available to all young people throughout the country. It aims to equip the youth with life skills to make a difference to themselves, their communities and their country.  The Gold level starts at age 16 and takes at least 12 months for Silver level participants working in Service, Skills and Physical Recreation to climb to that pinnacle -- 'Gold.' The Prince congratulated the Gold Award recipients for completing the program. He said, “You can sit here and look at that certificate and look back on all your achievements.  I am guessing there were times when you were wondering why you were doing it before you got halfway through the adventurous journey, but it is a fantastic thing when you get to the end.” The Prince also thanked the Governor General for his continued patronage of the Awards.  “It is fantastic that your office continues to support the Governor General’s Award here in The Bahamas. It makes a huge difference to the young people here to know that it has that level, support, and recognition.” He also recognized all who supported the awardees including parents, other government ministries and program volunteers. The Governor General said for him the opportunity to recognize the work and efforts of the young people is simply unparalleled.  He said, “I am encouraged to learn that more than 30,000 young Bahamians have through this program engaged in community service, in physical recreation, they acquired new skills, they attended adventurous journeys, and they achieved Bronze, Silver and tonight, Gold.” The Governor General noted that in 2019, he added a volunteer component to the program, which exists to encompass, encourage and to celebrate those individuals in civic and religious organizations who contribute to a better Bahamas through volunteering and giving of their time, talents, resources and efforts without expectation of any reward. “Simply put, the purpose is to inculcate, to inspire and sustain a culture of volunteerism through The Bahamas.” Proud parents, guardians, government ministers and officials, staff involved with the GGYA were all on hand to celebrate the 13 awardees. The Prince also made a special presentation to Alicia Owens for the work she has done on behalf of the program.

NASSAU, The Bahamas -- Governor General His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Cornelius A. Smith, Prime Minister the Hon. Philip Davis and Mrs. Ann Marie Davis, joined Chairperson of The Bahamas Independence Secretariat and Bahamas High Commissioner to CARICOM Her Excellency Leslia Brice, senior Government officials, members of the clergy, stakeholders and hundreds of people, at the Launch of the 50th Independence Anniversary Logo and Theme Unveiling Ceremony, on January 19, 2023, in Downtown Nassau. 

Bahamian talent and culture took centre stage in the form of singing, dancing, recitations, Junkanoo, and food.  During his Official Remarks, Prime Minister Davis invited "every person in our Bahama Islands and around the world – every citizen, every resident and every friend of The Bahamas" to pledge to participate and in the Golden Anniversary Celebrations, and pledge to make The Bahamas stronger.