goombay_summer.htm

July 1999 Table of Contents

IT'S GOOMBAY SUMMER TIME AGAIN!

The Goombay Summer Festival '99 kicked off in fine style on 11th June in Marsh Harbour with the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Band as the star attraction. The festival was officially opened by Senator Calvin Johnson, parliamentary secretary to the Ministry of Tourism, with comments from Texaco's Bernis Pinder - co-sponsors of the festival - and local member of parliament Robert Sweeting.

For many years, the Royal Bahamas Police Force band has been the most celebrated in the country. It is obvious that the Defence Force band aims to knock the police from that pedestal. The bandsmens' immaculate white uniforms stood out in the balmy Bahamian night as the band performed precision march routines to rousing music. When the full band broke ranks, an ensemble made up of band members entertained the crowd with a medley of popular songs. The two female singers were particularly impressive.

Another big hit was Angelique Rollins (Pepper), a beautiful and sexy fire dancer out of Grand Bahama. As well as dancing, Pepper lit a tourist's cigarette with a puff of fire straight from her mouth. She also threatened to end one local man's baby-making days with a playful wave of her firestick. A hot Pepper, indeed!

Then it was limbo, limbo like me time. Tourists and locals alike lined up and took part in a limbo competition that was won by a lady visitor from North Carolina. Then it was time for the professional. With the bar aflame, Grand Bahama's Ali Parker limboed lower and lower, at one point carrying a young boy in his arms. In the end the flaming bar stood no more than six inches above the ground. To astonished applause, Ali Parker manoeuvred through and under.

There were lots of impromptu fun competitions and quizzes which enabled hostesses Sherry Parker and Wynsome Ferguson to give away Goombay Summer tee shirts to visitors. The action never stopped. A cultural skit was performed by Colin Scavella and Alexis Gay and traditional rake 'n' scrape music was provided by a local group.

Another highlight of the evening was a double fashion show presentation directed by Raquel Gaitor. Four high school students - Opal Dawkins, Nyosha Reckley, Lassandra Coleby and Cassandra Hardy - modelled summer and evening wear the first time around, and then swimwear. The young models all showed flair and confidence and were warmly received by the large crowd, even though it was fast approaching midnight.

It was a wonderful start to the new season and it was pleasing to see the hundreds and hundreds of tourists on hand. Some even arrived an hour before the scheduled start of events. The Ministry of Tourism and their co-sponsors, Texaco, should be applauded for such a professional presentation that has obviously become a great hit with our summer visitors.

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