By Dana Niland
CJ Contributor
The Goombay Summer Festival kicked off in Grand Bahama at the beginning of this month, and will continue for the next month.
Bahamas Director General of Tourism Joy Jibrilu officially launched the festival and invited both visitors and residents to enjoy the dynamic cultural experience of The Bahamas through the celebration of the country’s food, music, and arts and crafts.
Jibrilu thanked the Ministry of Tourism teams for their months-long efforts in making the events possible, and encouraged visitors to plan future trips now.
“It gets better and better every year,” she said.
GBI Director of Tourism Betty Bethel and vice-chairman Benjamin Davis also spoke at the opening on July 2, when the Grand Bahama Youth Choir performed and a special tribute was also paid to the late Johnny Kemp Jr. as the Grand Bahama Police Pop band performed his popular hit “Just Got Paid.”
The festival will continue every Thursday for the next four weeks.
Another major festival, the Junkanoo Festival, will begin on July 31, just as the Goombay Festival concludes, for four more weeks of celebration.