Bahamian culture featured at Shrines 2016 convention

Fri, Sep 9th 2016, 09:53 AM

Conch fritters, conch stew, fried fish and many other Bahamian dishes were featured at a "Party in da Backyard" Bahamian styled event, that was one of the highlights at the recent Shriners Annual Convention that took place in Tampa, Florida.

The Annual Convention is one of the organization’s major events and over the past few year's The Islands of The Bahamas has been a major sponsor. The always popular, world renowned, Royal Bahamas Police Force band that has performed in the Convention's annual street Parade across the U.S.  - over the years - took center stage once again.

This year’s event featured a Bahamas booth where information on travel to The Bahamas was shared with the thousands in attendance.  The Bahamas booth also offered the opportunity for attendees to learn about all of the signature events in The Bahamas including sporting events, major cultural festivals and conferences such as the upcoming International Women's Empowerment Summit  (www.bahamasiwesummit.com), which takes place in Nassau, October of this year.


Bahamian contingent in attendance at the 2016 Shriner's Convention, Tampa, FL.

A variety of Bahamian native dishes prepared by a contingent of Bahamians, were served to Convention participants.  The Bahamas Director for The African American Market, Mr. Linville Johnson, who led the team representing The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, hailed the marked high number of Bahamians this year, as a bonus to The Bahamas' overall presence at the event. Mr. Johnson said too that the large group of Bahamians who are members of the organization serve as excellent Ambassadors for The Bahamas. "They are like a Bahamas 'People to People Program' abroad," he said.

The Director shared that, "Although the Shriners have been holding some of their smaller meetings in The Bahamas over the years, they have upped the ante and this year have promised that some four to five of their events are scheduled to take place, in The Bahamas over a period of the next four years, with group movements ranging from 100 persons to 500.

For more information on The African American Department of The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, contact ljohnson@bahamas.com or reach him at 954-236-9292.


The Islands Of The Bahamas was one of the featured sponsors at the recent 2016 Shriners Convention. Pictured at the event in Tampa, Florida from left to right are: Godwin A. Cargill deputy of the oasis, Nassau; Ingrid Bartlett, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism;  Leslie M Dean Past Imperial Potentate, Grand Master, Commonwealth of The Bahamas and Grand Encampment High Priest, United States of America and The Bahamas; Linville Johnson, Director of African American Market, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism; and Uriell Johnson, Potentate Nemesis Temple #75, Oasis of Nassau, Desert of The Bahamas.

The Islands Of The Bahamas have a place in the sun for everyone. Each island has its own personality and attractions for a variety of vacation styles with some of the world’s best scuba diving, fishing, sailing, boating, as well as, shopping and dining. The destination offers an easily accessible tropical getaway and provides convenience for travelers with preclearance through U.S. customs and immigration, and the Bahamian dollar at par with the U.S. dollar. Do everything or do nothing, just remember It’s Better in The Bahamas. For more information call 1-800-Bahamas or visit www.Bahamas.com. Look for The Bahamas on the web on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

By Jeannie Gibson

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