The second annual Festival Rum Bahamas is no longer an anticipated event -- it's now a go. The three-day festival at the historic Fort Charlotte opens today with 80-plus stalls offering everything for your pleasure. According to organizers, the festival "is the essence of festival tourism, giving locals as well as tourists three days of entertainment through food, culture, music and of course rum." The festival that is in its second year, runs through Sunday, and is open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

Patrons who attended last year's Festival Rum Bahamas know that the venue is unbeatable, as they were able to explore parts of Fort Charlotte and Fort Darcy that had previously been closed to the public.

The uniqueness of having a moat serve as the town center offers many positives, including an ideal environment to hear the great local musicians perform, and really feel the Junkanoo rushes. There is also culture on display from local vendors selling locally made products like art, furniture, soaps and clothing to "edutainment" including historical presentations, cooking displays and visual presentations.

Music is always a part of an event and Festival Rum Bahamas has multiple stages with only local performers scheduled including Visage, Veronica Bishop, Ira Storr & the Spank Band, Pat Rahming, the Rum Runners and Dyson to name a few. And of course it's not a festival without the food and drinks. Everything from lionfish tacos to every sort of grilled meat and rum-inspired recipes you can think of can be had.

Even though the festival is named Festival Rum Bahamas, there is so much more than just rum available. But connoisseurs of fine rum will enjoy the experience as all of the rums available on New Providence -- and some that are not -- will be up for sampling.

Festival Rum Bahamas is also an internationally judged rum-tasting competition. It will be interesting to see if local favorites like Bacardi and John Watlings can stay near the top as other famous Caribbean rum brands like Plantation, Blackwell Fine Jamaican Rum and El Dorado are back again this year.

THE BOOTHS
242 Sky Juice -- Sky Juice
Neem -- Neem
Bahamas Cigarette and Tobacco -- Cigarettes
Bahamas Drinks Delite
Bedazzle Design -- Jewelry
BeGard Land and Sea Designs
Gigi's -- Jerk food
Cat Island Gal
Cocolex -- Coconut crafts
Confectionately Yours -- Rum Cupcakes
Conck n Kalik -- Restaurant
Creative Designs by Mimiuex -- Coconut crafts
Diamonds
Fabulous Craft
Fish & Chips -- Seafood
Gone Fishin' -- Restaurant
Island Cane -- Beverage
Island Inspired -- Stuffed animals
It Is What It Is Skyjuice -- Sky Juice
Junior's Jerk Pit -- Jerk food
Junkanoo Puzzles -- Boxed puzzles
Lady Di -- Cold coconuts
Limeade Bahamas -- Beverage
NUA -- Handicraft
Nature's Bliss -- Craft
Organo Gold Coffee -- Coffee
Pirate Republic -- Beer
Pirates & Pearls -- Jewelry
Prickle Air Freshener
Ronnie's -- Food booth
Rose of Sharon -- Craft
Rum Cake Factory -- Rum product
Rum Cup -- Craft
Rythyms Carnival Band -- Carnival
Seasonal Sunshine -- Rum product
Shiver
Smokin' Cold Daiquiri -- Daiquiri/pizza
Souse Lady
The Jamaican/Bahamian Connection -- Food
Tipsy Sisters -- Cocktails
VERN'S Collection -- Straw bags
VMF Catering -- Caribbean

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