The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

EVEN IF you’re not from the Family Islands, there is always something about homecoming and regatta festivals that create a sense of community spirit.

The celebrations that hold these events together are special for many Bahamians, more so now than ever. Many islanders return home to their roots to reunite with family members and friends to celebrate the “coming home.”

There are also the people that simply make the decision to escape the fast-paced city life of Nassau for a few days of peace and tranquillity.

These events allow for the immersion into the local culture and culinary talents of a particular island.

This Easter season, Eleuthera natives are inviting all locals to join them as they host their annual homecoming festival in Rock Sound this year.

The ‘Rocksounder’, a member of the Rock Sound homecoming committee, said the festival has grown tremendously in terms of the event’s success.

“Every hotel in Rock Sound is full and every car is rented. We actually have to close the road at the homecoming site because there are so many people that usually come in. People come over knowing, and are sure, that they will have a good time while enjoying good food, drinks, entertainment and home-grown hospitality,” he said.

Just recently, the event’s “LAS LAP” boat cruise event took place in Nassau, attracting a large crowd.
“The LAS LAP is an event that we have to raise money in order to pull off the homecoming every year. We try to do two boat cruises, so that we can use that money to pay for entertainment and many other expenses,” said the Rocksounder.

A first for the homecoming’s annual festivities will be a 100 Jamz Party Boat collaboration.

The Jamz Dynasty; Natural Empress, DJ Pressure, Joe Koolz, Jatonde and Big Doobs will be cruising on the party boat into Eleuthera tomorrow to celebrate at Club Hideout until Sunday.

“This is the first time 100 Jamz is collaborating in terms of the party boat. We have been using the Bahamas Fast Ferries for the past three to four years and they have been providing us with special activities. We book our boat cruises with them and because of that they run a special boat trip to Eleuthera. People are talking about it because it is on the radio and the word is getting out there,” said the Rocksounder.
Additional activities for the Rock Sound Homecoming 2014 festivities include an opening ceremony with guest speaker Damian Gomez, MP for Central and South Eleuthera; a ‘Welcome Home’ party; a Kalik Wet Fete pool party at the Rock Sound Club, Conchanoo paddle board registration and clinic, All Eleuthera Night, Souse-Out Saturday, Barefoot Grill Out, Platinum Ryders “Road Safety One on One, Kiwanis Easter Egg Hunt and the Churches United gospel concert.

Performers will include the High Rock Band, the Rum Runners, Veronica Bishop and K B.

“This homecoming is extremely important, especially to the people of South Eleuthera, because we are not just talking about Rock Sound. We are talking about Rock Sound, Tarpum Bay, Green Caste and so forth. The entire south Eleuthera, they all benefit from this memorable experience. We have special flights going on with the airlines – Bahamasair and Pineapple Air,” said the Rocksounder.

“There is not a single event in South Eleuthera that draws the amount of attention as the Rock Sound homecoming. They have been doing small fish fry events as well to raise funds. We actually pay for almost everything that we do, and we know people are going to enjoy themselves.”