Arts & Culture
GB Regatta jumpstarts 35th Independence Celebration
By Simon Lewis, BIS
Jun 18, 2008 - 11:02:55 PM

Freeport, Grand Bahama Island – The Grand Bahama Regatta, schedule for June 19^th thru June 22^nd in waters of Taino Beach on Grand Bahama Island will be included in the scheduling of Grand Bahama based activities marking the country’s 35^th Independence Celebrations.

 

That information was passed on Tuesday by Senator the Honourable Katherine Forbes-Smith, Parliamentary Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, who also has responsibilities for the Independence Celebrations on Grand Bahama.

Senator Smith had joined members of the Grand Bahama Regatta Committee at the Regatta site on Taino Beach Tuesday morning for the announcement.

The Grand Bahama Regatta Committee also took the opportunity to inform that in conjunction with the Grand Bahama Sailing Association, they staged Opti Races on Sunday, 25^th May, in waters off Old Bahama Bay Resort at West End.

Opti Racing is youth sailing and they encouraged the youth of Grand Bahama to become involved in the national sport of sailing.

Commenting on the upcoming Independence Celebrations, Senator Smith firstly announced the theme which is: The Bahamas at 35 – Celebration a Proud Past and Looking to a Promising Future.

Senator Smith said she feels that it is an excellent theme which was developed by the National Independence Committee in New Providence.

Continuing she added that “we thought that because we are celebrating our 35^th Anniversary of Independence that it would be appropriate to add a few more activities since we have reached this significant milestone in the life and history of The Bahamas.   So we kick off our Independence Celebrations with the Grand Bahama Regatta.

REGATTA/INDEPENDENCE Sitting left to right: Carnard Bethel - Regatta Com; Joe Thompson - G.B. Sailing Club; Cecil Thompson - Reg Committe; Senator Katherine Smith - Parliamentary Sec, Office of the Prime Minister and Chairperson G.B. Independence Committee; Harold McPhee - Chairman G.B. Reg Committee; Naomi Wallace Whitfield - G.B. Reg Committee; Standing: April Gow - Dept. Chief Councilor, Freeport City Council; Tynia Roberts - Secretary G.B. REg Committee; Charlie Robin - Min of Tourism; Spence Dorsett - Treasurer G.B. Reg Committee; Liz Grant - G.B. Reg Committee; Walton Rolle - G.B. Regatta Committee (BIS Photo/Vandyke Hepburn)

“It is our intention to try and put all of our resources, the Committee, and resources that we have behind the G.B. Regatta Committee to help them promote the Regatta so that we can get better participation from all the residents of Grand Bahama, from the east and the west and certainly within the City of Freeport and all of the children,” she stated.

She was also pleased with what the Grand Bahama Regatta was doing in conjunction with the Grand Bahama Sailing Association in trying to promote sailing to the young people.

“It is one of those things that we want to see happening,” she said.

Senator Smith also told the media “that this is not the official press conference for the Independence Celebrations but certainly I do not want to disclose too much because we do have a very, very exciting 35^th Anniversary of Independence planned for the Island of Grand Bahama.   But, we did want to include the Grand Bahama Regatta as the kickoff for Independence this year.”

Mr. Cecil Thompson, Deputy Director of Education at the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, pointed out that the Grand Bahama Regatta Committee in conjunction with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and the Ministry of Tourism are putting together a grand fun-filled Regatta.

Activities will begin of Thursday June 19^th 2008 with the “Best of the Best in Bahamian Entertainment” which will feature: Ophie & The Boys, Watch Out, Ultra Vibes, Mango, Kevin Fox, Tyrone Green and native show with fire dancers, limbo and more.   That event is sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism and will be held at the Regatta site.

On Friday, 20^th of June, sloop racing start promptly at 10:00a.m., and continues throughout the day.

At 8:00p.m. the opening ceremony with take place at the Regatta site with the special guest speaker being the Honourable Byron Woodside, Minister of State for Youth and Sports.   This will be followed by Junkanoo featuring the National Primary School Junkanoo Champions, Walter Parker Primary School.

Saturday is race day with the A, B, and C Class races, Opti races and High School Teams racing in “C’ Class sloops.

Saying how pleased they are to have the youth participate in this year’s races, Mr. Thompson informed that among the school competing is: Eight Mile Rock High, Sunland Baptist, Alpha Omega, Lucayan International, Jack Hayward High, St. Georges, Bishop Michael Eldon, St. Pauls, Grand Bahama Catholic High, and team from east Grand Bahama.

Sunday, June 22^nd 2008 is the final day for the races.   The sailing champions will be presented with their prizes and awards at the closing ceremony.   The special guest speaker for that event is the Hon. Neko C. Grant, Minister for Tourism and Aviation.

Entertainment on Sunday will feature some of the islands leading marching bands.   There will also be lots of other entertainment, food and drinks.

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