Welcome by the Bristol Ladies! Each year main sponsor Bristol Wines and Spirits hosts the welcome table at Festival Noel. These lovely ladies are (left to right) Tabitha Hall, Bristol Wines and Spirits GB Retail Division, Abinele Jones, Volunteer and Denise Williams Bristol Wines and Spirits GB Retail Division Manager. This year Bristol will have 32 wines on offer on the night, 10 more than last year. (Photo courtesy of Keen i Media)

Freeport, Grand Bahama - ‘Tis the season to be jolly and for the 15th year of Festival Noel, the organizers are getting in high spirits and are well on their way to making this year’s event one to remember. Serving as the only fundraiser for the Grand Bahama branch of The Bahamas National Trust, Bristol Wines and Spirits has once again hopped onboard as an official sponsor; promising an even larger quantity and quality of wines and champagnes.

Last year’s Festival Noel featured twenty-two wines and champagnes, this year, Bristol Wines and Spirits have stepped it up a notch and will feature thirty-two wines and champagnes from countries such as Australia, Chile, France, Argentina and Italy which guarantees to get everyone in the Holiday spirit.

“Bristol Wines and Spirits is proud to be a part of this year’s Festival Noel along with The Bahamas National Trust. We will feature more wines from the Old World and New World than ever before. We recommend that those in attendance enjoy the wines, music and activities of the evening as this year will truly be one to remember. We will bring the magic back to the second city, “said Bristol Key Accounts Manager, Jevon Butler.

SANDS will be on HAND! Adding to the celebrations this year will be the SANDS team, who joined Festival Noel last year. The Brewery plans to sell their new beer HIGH ROCK as well as its National brands Sands and Strong Back on the night. Festival Noel will also feature a raffle this year with gifts from other event sponsors; Colombian Emeralds International, Parfum de Paris, Furniture Plus and many more. (Photo courtesy of Keen i Media)

Festival Noel is set to take place on Friday, December 4^th from 7- 10pm and is often referred to as the event that kicks off the holiday season in Grand Bahama. This year Festival Noel is pleased to welcome back sponsors Colombian Emeralds International, Bahamian Brewery and Beverage Co., Freeport Advertising and Printing, Parfum De Paris and Cool96. Joining them this year will be Top Notch and Furniture Plus all making a combined effort to make this year’s Festival Noel, unforgettable for all of the right reasons.

For those die hard shoppers attending Festival Noel, the event will also allow them to see the newest lines and trends for 2010. Colombian Emeralds International will add sparkle to the evening by displaying many of their emerald, sapphire and diamond pieces and the newest favorite line, Pandora.Parfum De Paris will have several new fragrances including Bebe, Viva by Juicy Couture, Idol by Lancome, and Posh by Thierry Mugler. Furniture Plus will display their newest accessory lines, helping create the final touches on homes, especially for the busy holiday season.

Russell back to croon out some favourites. Music is always a part of Festival Noel's ambiance. Last year the committee invited local musical talents to perform at Festival which was a huge success. Pictured is Erik Russell who will return to sing some lovely Christmas classics along with Susan Jensen Sweeting and the smooth sounds of the Joe Fox Jazz Trio. Tickets for the Friday the 4th's event are now on sale at Bristol Wines & Spirits, Barefoot Marketing and the Rand Nature Centre. (Photo courtesy of Keen i Media)

“The Grand Bahama Regional Branch is excited about celebrating our 15^th year of Festival Noel,’ commented Karin Sanchez, Chairman of the Grand Bahama BNT branch. “This is our one big fundraiser for the year and funds raised this year will revitalize the watchable wildlife pond and help make our park more of an attraction to our visiting tourists and students. I am hopeful Grand Bahamians will continue their annual support.”

This year’s guest artist is Anthony Morley, known as “Big Mo”, a native to Grand Bahama who currently resides in Nassau and will display his vivid artwork in the Glory Banks Art Gallery. Joining him will be several local artists such as Alisa Robinson, Ken Heslop, Del Foxton, Janice Corkery, Rupert Watkins, Caroline Anderson, The Grand Bahama Artist Association and an Abaco artist, Raquel Russell. These artists, who have a passion for art, will display their work at the event with styles ranging from water colour to mixed media paper-collage.

Local Artists add beauty to the night. Part of Festival Noel's charm is the beauty of the fine art featured on the night. This year over nine local artists and the event's guest artist will be featured on the night. The artwork is spread through out the Rand Nature Centre gallery, main buildings and in the gardens. Pictured is returning artist Del Foxton - who is a fixture at Festival Noel! (Photo courtesy of Keen i Media)

And what would a wine tasting be without a tasty treat or two? This year’s participating restaurants are preparing for the annual culinary competition dubbed “Chef Noel”. This year’s Chef Noel competition will add a youthful flavor by working with the Culinary School of The College of the Bahamas, where students will compete for the participating restaurants and in essence, run the kitchen with the restaurant staff to support and cheer them on.

Restaurants’ participating this year are retuning former Chef Noel winner, Shenanigans Irish Pub as well as attendee favourite Joe Ret, aka the “pig man”. Trendy Island Java will also be at the event with new comers Social Butterfly Catering Services, Livity Vegetarian Take-Out and Juice Bar and the Catholic High School Catering Team. The committee is also excited that the well known restaurateur Chef Boulet will also be submitting a team to the competition featuring tasty treats from Luciano’s and Le Med!

Ysora Waugh, Barefoot Marketing Event Coordinator, for Festival Noel noted “I am very excited to join in the organizing of Festival Noel in a year where everything is developing in order to insure a beautiful and spirited event. An event that is sure to turn some heads and leave a positive impression with many Grand Bahamians”.

During last year’s event, multiple local musicians performed during the night, which proved to be a great success. Returning soloist Erik Russell will perform classic Christmas songs for guests and this year, two new musical acts have joined in the festivities. Joe Fox and his Trio will be performing jazzy and island sounds as well as well known vocalist Susan Jensen-Sweeting.

Tickets are on sale now for $50 in advance and $45 for Bahamas National Trust Members and will be available at Bristol Wines and Spirits, Barefoot Marketing and at the Rand Nature Centre. “We want to remind guests to purchase early this year as we have limited tickets available, ” noted Waugh “especially BNT members who can only get the discount before the day of the event.” Tickets will be $55 on the day.

So come out Grand Bahama and take part in this wonderful event and contribute to your community and its many beautiful national parks!