Festival Noel Committee prepares for "Sweet 16th" event. Pictured are the Festival Noel committee discussing plans for their 16th Annual event. “This year we will centre our event around the success of the youth on our island” said Karin Sanchez, GB BNT Chairman, “we will highlight young artists in the community as well as host a Chef Noel competition between high schools and the College of The Bahamas.” Festival Noel is set for December 3rd at the Rand Nature Centre from 7 to 10pm, tickets go on sale next week.

Freeport, Grand Bahama - 2010 will mark the “Sweet 16^th” anniversary of Festival Noel in Grand Bahama. Held on the first Friday of December, this annual Wine Tasting and Art Show serves as the major fundraiser for the Bahamas National Trust in Grand Bahama.

“This year we will centre our event around the success of the youth on our island” said Karin Sanchez, GB BNT Chairman, “we will highlight young artists in the community as well as host a Chef Noel competition between high schools and the College of The Bahamas.” The planning committee has been meeting for weeks and has been reviewing artwork of various local graduates to showcase in the Glory Banks art gallery on the night of the event as well as organizing details for the Chef Competition.

Last year Festival Noel welcomed a new Culinary Team to the Chef Noel Competition, GB Catholic High School students, who overwhelmed guests with their delicious delights and also their pure enthusiasm.Though they placed second in the "Chef Noel" competition the students were eager to rejoin us this year. Hence, the Festival Noel committee decided to allow all schools with a culinary program to participate. “We have already confirmed that Catholic High School, Sir Jack Hayward, Eight Mile Rock, St. George’s and the College of The Bahamas will attend,” noted Cecilia Bodie, GB BNT Manager, “we are looking forward to these students creating wonderful culinary delights for us – plus the school battle should be interesting!”

Bristol back to support the Grand Bahama BNT. The continued success of Festival Noel has also been due to the constant support of the Bristol Wines and Spirits family, who not only supply all the Wine for this event but also annually financially contribute to the Bahamas National Trust. “Though this has become a night to sample the various wines we sell, we are also proud to support the work of the Grand Bahama BNT in our community,” stated Jevon Butler, Bristol Wines and Spirits GB Manager. “These volunteers safe guard our environment and our heritage – it's wonderful to help them in their efforts.” Pictured at last year's event are Rusty Scates, Bristol Wines & Sprits Wine Manager, Karin Sanchez, Chairman of the GB BNT and Jevon Butler.

In order to facilitate the student chef competition the newest Supermarket Company SAVEMORE Food store will sponsor this portion of the event. “Our schools are enthusiastic to compete but they will need financial assistance to participate,” noted Sanchez, “thanks to SAVEMORE Food Store, this portion of our event will be able to happen. I am overwhelmed that a new corporate company to the island has stepped up to help our students showcase their very best.”

The continued success of Festival Noel has also been due to the constant support of the Bristol Wines and Spirits family, who not only supply all the Wine for this event but also annually financially contribute to the Bahamas National Trust. “Though this has become a night to sample the various wines we sell, we are also proud to support the work of the Grand Bahama BNT in our community,” stated Jevon Butler, Bristol Wines and Spirits GB Manager. “These volunteers safe guard our environment and our heritage – its wonderful to help them in their efforts.”

This year’s event is once again being organized by Barefoot Marketing and the Festival Noel Committee, “We have a great team that makes this event happen,” said Sarah Kirkby, Barefoot Marketing Director. “The GB BNT volunteers and staff work tirelessly to put together this event and showcase not only art, wine, food, music but they truly help Grand Bahamians kick off the Christmas season.”

Chef challenge 2010 becomes a student competition. Last year Festival Noel welcomed a new Culinary Team to the Chef Noel Competition. Pictured are some of the students from the GB Catholic High School who overwhelmed guests with their delicious delights and also their pure enthusiasm. This year the FN committee decided to allow all schools with a culinary program to participate. “We have already confirmed that Catholic High School, Sir Jack Hayward, Eight Mile Rock, St. George’s and the College of The Bahamas will attend,” noted Cecilia Bodie, GB BNT Manager, “we are looking forward to these students creating wonderful culinary delights for us – plus the school battle should be interesting!”

Tickets for Festival Noel will go on sale late next week and will remain at $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 are truly excited about this year,” said Kirkby,”we are delighted to have the Bahamian Brewery and Beverage, Freeport Advertising and Printing, and Cool 96 all back as a sponsors as well as new sponsors to the event, Underwater Explorers Society (UNEXSO) and SAVEMORE Food store. We are also changing a few things around this year and will have some very creative auction items too, but you will have to attend to find out about them!”