Bahamian cultural competitions, entertainment and all the crab you
can eat will be at the 18th All Andros Crab Fest at Festival Site, Fresh Creek
Central Andros on June 13-June 14.
The festival, which began in 1997, is much anticipated for both
locals and visitors as hundreds of crabs are cooked in over 100 ways for those
looking to satisfy their crab cravings.
The event celebrates Andros as the “crab-catching” capital of The
Bahamas during the peak of crab season.
Over 50 food and craft vendors are expected to participate.
Chairman of the All Andros Crab Fest Committee Peter Douglas said
just coming out of Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival season, organizers are looking to
make everything bigger and better.
“After having that big city rush out, come to the Family Island
and experience real down home Bahamian culture and festival celebration. What
we want to do this year is have more of the schools participate. We want people
to come and really enjoy what Andros has to offer, which is just that community
down home feeling,” he said.
Crab Fest is known to be a key driver for Andros’ economy.
Mr. Douglas said Androsians are hoping to make the Crab Fest site
a main attraction for tourists.
“We want to make this site a must-see when you come to Andros.
Every year, we have seen our international visitor count grow by five to 10 per
cent. This year, most of the hotels are booked for Crab Fest,” he said.
“That’s important and so our domestic tourism attraction is also
becoming an international attraction as well.”
There’s a lot to do at Crab Fest.
Besides eating the crab,
you can also watch them walk during crabbing competitions.
Additionally, there will be competitions in dominoes, watermelon
eating, cane peeling, crab culinary and crab dancing.
There will also be Bahamian entertainment from Ira Storr and the
Spank Band, the Defense Force Band, Elon Moxey, the Crab Man, Veronica Bishop,
Reuben G, Crab Souse, D’Mac and KB,dance performances from the Juice Unit and a
Kiddie Corner.
The Ministry of Tourism, the Department of Local Government, BTC,
Burns House, Le Air, Randolph Holding, Bahamas Ferries and Superwash are the
sponsors of Crab Fest.
How to get
there:
Lee Air Charters and Air Taxi Service at Lynden Pindling
International Airport (LPIA) will provide hourly air service between Nassau and
Fresh Creek, Andros.
Bahamas Ferries will provide a scheduled ferry service all day
from Potters Cay dock to Fresh Creek Harbour.
For more information on Crab Fest contact the Andros Tourism
Office at 242-368-2286 or 242-368-2891.