The Tribune

THE Grand Bahama Regatta and Heritage Committee has announced this year’s entertainment lineup.

Set to take place at Taino Beach on July 18 and 19, the committee has confirmed Wilfred Solomon, Stileet, Veronica Bishop and D-Mac for the regatta.

The event will be emceed by The Mighty Pencil.

Under the leadership of committee chairman Chervita Campbell, the team said it is determined to make this year’s regatta the best ever, and the entire Grand Bahama community is encouraged to get involved and support the continuance of a sloop sailing regatta for the island.

Activities will get underway on Sunday, July 13, with a dedication service at St Nicolas Anglican Church in High Rock at 10am. Those who require assistance with transportation may take a bus which will leave from Solomon’s parking lot in Lucaya departing at 9am.

A Skipper’s Party will be held at Triple Play Sports Bar & Grill, West End on Thursday, July 17, from 6pm to 8pm. This event is a private party for sailors, boat owners, sponsors and mariners from Palm Beach.

The regatta will host A, B and C classes of sloop sailing. There will be junior sailing, sculling and races.

This year’s heritage component, the committee said, will make for an exciting addition. While sailing and racing is going on at sea, Taino Beach park will be buzzing with activity.

Organisers said they are busy planning to ensure that there will be ample native food, entertainment and activities such as plaiting the maypole as well as arts and crafts booths. Bahamian recording artist Stileet has been confirmed to perform on Friday evening.

The history of Bahamas regattas dates back to 1954, when a group of Bahamian and American yachtsmen held an event in Elizabeth Harbour which brought sailors together in one place for sport. The three-day event was so successful that they decided to continue it, and the Out Island Squadron was born. This group of Americans and Bahamians continued the regatta in George Town, Exuma thereafter until 1967. It was in 1973 that the regatta was held in Nassau as a part of the Independence celebrations. Today, annual Bahamian regattas are held throughout the archipelago. Grand Bahama held its first regatta in 1992 and it was introduced as a constituency event.

The committee said it is actively seeking sponsors to further enhance the event. Benefits include transportation to Skipper’s Party, a sailing boat cruise, access to the VIP lookout tower and a company logo/banner on the regatta website.