Fourth annual Tru Tru Bahamian Festival highly anticipated
The highly-anticipated festival is a treasured family event, attracting both locals and visitors, many of whom have followed and attended the event faithfully every year.
The event has touched the hearts and taste buds of festival-goers as it showcases a vast variety of traditional, culturally based, “Tru Tru” Bahamian activities and a plethora of delicious authentically Bahamian food and drinks, art, crafts, music, dance, flora and fauna.
The festival honors and highlights Bahamian culture and history, as evidenced by the diverse schedule of activities; traditional children’s games; ring play, storytelling, plaiting of the maypole. In addition it boasts a Junkanoo pop-up shack and rush out by Junkanoo Commandos; the mesmerizing Royal Bahamas Police Force Band, performances by the Sir Gerald Cash Primary School Rake and Scrape Band, Lady E, Ira Storr and The Spank Band, Tingum Dem Band; pirate re-enactments and a bevy of vendors, artists and musicians. Quite literally it is a glimpse of all things Bahamian in one beautiful, historic, safe setting.
In addition to a packed schedule of fun events, the festival brings together a treasure trove of Bahamian artisans and quality Tru Tru Bahamian art, crafts and sundry items. Talented Bahamian entrepreneurs showcase and sell candles, soaps, scrubs, teas, jewelry, hand-crafted straw goods, spices and jams. Every imaginable artifact is beautifully displayed at the Tru Tru Bahamian Festival.
Last but not least, the finest cooks in The Bahamas gather to serve delicious, traditional Bahamian food and drink and twists on old-style Bahamian dishes and cocktails. Many Bahamians follow their favorite chef or mixologist every year to the epic festival.
“The Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association is so pleased to host this incredible expression of Bahamian talent, culture and tradition once again” stated Carlton Russell, president of the Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association. “Like proud parents, we have watched this festival grow from infancy to adulthood, from a mere 900 attendees to over 5,000. We have high hopes to see this festival spill into the streets of historic Nassau and expand to the Family Islands. Together with our private and public sector partners we will continue to support the incredible cadre of Bahamian entrepreneurs, artists and musicians who are the backbone of our society.”
The festival would not be possible without sponsors for the event including: the Ministry of Tourism, REV, the Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board, the Paradise Island Tourism Development Association, John Watling’s Distillery, Bahamian Brewery and Beverage Company, Commonwealth Brewery, Pirates Republic Brewing Company, the Bahamas Out Island Promotion Board, the Downtown Nassau Partnership, DHL, Embrace Resort, Exuma; The Pointe, Bahamas Waste, the Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board, the Bahamas Hotel and Restaurant Employers Association, the Hotel Industry Management Pension Fund; the Bahamas Musicians and Entertainers Union, Providence Advisors, the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the University of The Bahamas and the Nassau Airport Development Company.
The Nassau Guardian
January 29, 2019
