Despite inclement weather, scores of people attended the Seventh Annual High Rock Seafest yesterday to celebrate Bahamian culture, cuisine and the Emancipation Day holiday.

The event attracted local residents and tourists to East Grand Bahama, where they were encouraged to join in on the fun and participate in onion peeling, watermelon eating and corn shucking contests.

Jennifer Varon, a visitor from St. Louis, Missouri, was plucked from the crowd to compete in the onion peeling contest.

She said she was initially intimidated, but was happy to participate in Bahamian culture.

"I think it's awesome to be able to be here and experience this event. I wasn't exactly sure what it meant to peel an onion, but it was a lot of fun and it was cool to be able to get involved," Varon said.

The cultural affair also included performances by The Swingers Junkanoo group, East End Michael Jackson and the Royal Bahamas Police Pop Band.

Freeport resident Jackie Morley was particularly excited to see the Royal Bahamas Police Force Pop Band's performance.

"I love the Police Pop Band.

I like to see (them perform). I love the Bahamian music," she said, adding that the festival offered visitors the opportunity to experience authentic Bahamian culture.

"This is excellent. Everywhere you go you see people copying. We want to be real. We want to show the real thing. This is a Bahamian thing.

This whole idea is excellent."

While the culture-packed Seafest served up the fun, Chairman of the High Rock Sea Fest Association Pastor Pedyson Baillou said this year's event was really intended to assist local High Rock residents. "

The main purpose is to raise funds for the completion of the High Rock community center and so far we've been progressing," Baillou said.

"We talk about the economic downturn of the country. So today, the festival is bringing some financial assistance to the vendors, and the persons who have come to share in the event. Having this amount of visitors with us... is good. It makes our economy strong."

Member of Parliament for East Grand Bahama Peter Turnquest, and President of the Grand Bahama Christian Council Bishop Arnold Pinder, were in attendance at the festival.

They hailed the event as a potential economic boost for the settlement and expressed hopes that the event will continue to attract more people over the years.

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