From:TheBahamasWeekly.com

Ministry of Tourism Updates
2nd Annual Grand Bahama Airshow Underway!
By Brooke Grant, GBMOT
May 19, 2017 - 6:54:58 PM

AIRPLANES, AIR BOSSES AND AEROBATICS ARE READY FOR THE SKIES

FREEPORT, Bahamas - After months of planning, marketing and promoting the unique aerobatics and cultural showcase scheduled to take place this coming weekend, the Ministry of Tourism has cleared the runway and is ready to take off with the 2nd Annual Grand Bahama Air Show, May 19th – 20th, 2017, at Taino Beach, Freeport Grand Bahama Island.

During a press conference held at the event’s host hotel, Pelican Bay, on Thursday, May 18th, 2017, Nuvolari Chootosingh, Manager for Sports Tourism, promised attendees that this year’s event will be “bigger, better, longer and more exciting than the inaugural Air Show which took place last year”.

Acknowledging the strong partnership associated with the annual event, Chootosingh said, “This event is brought to Grand Bahama though a special partnership between the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Sun ‘n Fun the second largest aviation show in the United States, and in conjunction with veteran air boss John Wayne of John Wayne Air Calvary, LLC”.

He continued that “The 2nd Annual Grand Bahama Air Show is not just one event. It is a unique series of exciting events that’s a thrilling mix of breathtaking aerobatics, culture and family fun. It’s an event that involves the entire Grand Bahama community”.

The exciting weekend kicked off with a career fair, on Friday, May 19th at the Western Air Terminal, between the hours of 8:30am and 12:30pm. The following day, on Saturday, May 20th, the action heats up on Taino Beach, beginning at 3:00pm with the inaugural Kite Festival, followed by the highly anticipated 2nd Annual Grand Bahama Air Show, starting promptly at 5:00pm.

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Betty Bethel, Director for the Ministry of Tourism on Grand Bahama Island, referring to recent remarks given by Minister of Tourism, Dionisio D’Aguilar, on prioritizing the growth of the Tourism product, said that “It’s events like this air show that will certainly assist in growing the product here on Grand Bahama Island”.

Continuing, Bethel shared that “What separates us from going anywhere else is the events and experiences, and we want our experiences to be unique, not just throughout The Islands Of The Bahamas, but between us and any place else in the world”.

Greg Rolle, Senior Director for Sales and Marketing and Sports Tourism, addressed the strength of the partnership between the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and SUN ‘n FUN.

He said that “Five years ago, we hosted a familiarization trip to The Bahamas with the President and Chairman of SUN ‘n FUN, and when these gentlemen saw how easy it was to fly into The Bahamas and how friendly the Bahamian people were [they committed to partnering with the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism]”.
Mike Zidzunias, Flying Ambassador, shared some of the precision details with the press, adding that the famous flag drop, which stole the hearts of the viewers during last year’s air show, will once again take center stage, and will this year feature a female parachuter.

Mark, member of the Aero Shell performance group, who has visited The Bahamas in the past, shared that he never dreamed that he would be flying in an air show in a destination where he has only scuba dived in the past.

The entire Island of Grand Bahama, especially the aeronautical community and aviation enthusiasts are invited to not only spectate during this weekend of events, but to also participate in events including the Kite Festival.

Pre-registration for the inaugural Kite Festival will take place at Taino Beach beginning at 1:00pm with prejudging set for 2:00pm, and the kite flying competition at 3:00pm.

The entry categories include authentically Bahamian kite, highest flying kite, largest flying kite and smallest flying kite. Trophies will be awarded for top finishers in each category.

The main event, the 2nd Annual Grand Bahama Air Show, will soar into action at 5:00pm sharp on Saturday with three hours of low flying maneuvers by skilled precision formation squads, climaxing with a twilight performance featuring a fantastical light show, fire and smoke!

The event, hosted at the iconic Taino Beach festival site, will also offer attendees a taste of Goombay Summer with high-spirited musical performances by Mdeez, DMAC, GB District of the Royal Bahamas Police Force Pop Band and a Junkanoo performance by the Platinum Nights.

For persons who are anxiously awaiting the start of the Air Show, there will be an opportunity to sneak a preview of what this show will look like, on Friday evening between the hours of 5:00pm and 8:00pm as the flight team holds a practice run in the skies at Taino Beach.

Admission to the 2nd Annual Grand Bahama Air Show and all preceding events is free.

Free transportation is also available for guests staying at any of the hotels in the Freeport area.

For more information on the 2nd Annual Grand Bahama Airshow and inaugural Kite Festival, contact the Ministry of Tourism at 350-8600 or visit Tourism Today Bahamas on Facebook.



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