Miami Bahamas Junkanoo Festival to take place July 26 in Coconut Grove

Thu, Jul 2nd 2015, 08:56 AM

Pictured from left to right are: Earle Miller, MOT; Earnestine Moxyz, MOT; Linville Johnson, MOT; Connie Kinnard, Vice President, Multi-Cultural Tourism, Greater Miami Convention  & Visitors Bureau; Hon. Ricardo Treco, Bahamas Consul General; Hon. Tomas Regalado, Mayor, City of Miami, Greg Rolle, Director of Sports Marketing, MOT; Cornelia Dozier, President  & CEO, Greater Miami Host Committee; Mia Lange, MOT; Jennifer Gardiner, MOT; Angel Zayon, Director of Communications, City of Miami  & Director of Mayor's International Council; and Anita Johnson-Patty, MOT. (Photo Credit: Antiro Riley)MIAMI, Florida -- The City of Miami's Mayor Tomas Regalado along with representatives of the Bahamas Government joined forces and announced the formation of the Miami Bahamas Junkanoo Festival, scheduled to take place in Coconut Grove on July 26, 2015.
The unique cultural festival which will feature Bahamian entertainers and musicians, authentic Bahamian cuisine, art and a live Junkanoo rush out, is one of several activities planned for the 42nd Annual Bahamian Independence Celebration in Miami and is expected to bring together families and residents of Florida and the Bahamian diaspora at large.
"The City of Miami, the Greater Miami Host Committee and its partners, take great pride in the diversity of our residents and visitors, and are honored to welcome such a cultural and iconic festival that is representative of Bahamian heritage to our City," said Mayor Regalado.
Bahamian immigrant settlers predate the city of Miami itself. They received land by the Spaniards along the Miami River, and later became Miami's first Black community established in Coconut Grove. Their rich legacy as being Miami's first skilled creative labor force in maritime, agriculture, horticulture, transportation, construction, forestry, hospitality and tourism industries is well known.
Mayor Regalado said that "Bahamians have played a significant role in establishing Miami as a city. Some 119 years ago, the Bahamian-American immigrants, represented one third of the registered voters needed for the incorporation of the City of Miami and on July 28, 1896, their votes resulted in the city's formation," he said.

Click here to read more at Bahama Islands Info

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