Organizers of the third annual Marco City Heritage Festival are expecting three cultural fun-filled days of entertainment, music, song, dance, and arts n’ crafts, beginning April 21 at the Independence Park in Grand Bahama.
According to organizers, the goal of the festival is to bridge the past with the future.
MP for Marco City Pleasant Bridgewater told reporters at a press conference recently that she expects the event to continue for many years to come.
“What we have planned is something that we expect will grow and continue to grow. We started back in 2004 and we’ve had it and expanded it in 2005 and this year we have even expanded it more to include more days, to include more cultural activities, [and] to keep the entertainment at a very high level,” Ms. Bridgewater said.
Co-chairperson of the Heritage Festival Yvonne Smith highlighted the numerous activities that are scheduled to take place.
A church service will be held at Central Church of God on April 19, and there will be a cultural pageant on April 21.
On Saturday, April 22, Prime Minister Perry Christie is expected to address the festival’s official opening ceremony, which will be marked by games, food and novelty vendors, a kid’s corner, horse parade and the plaiting of the Maypole.
A gospel concert planned for that Sunday will feature performances by the Royal Bahamas Police Force Marching Band, Grand Bahamian artists, such as the Cooling Waters and Simeon Outten and guest artists from New Providence.
Mrs. Smith said one of the highlights – the cultural pageant – is a first for this year.
“One of the added attractions to this year’s event is our festival queen. Seven young ladies between the ages of 13 and 18 years will compete for the title of ‘Miss Marco City Heritage Festival’. They would have to research our heritage, [and] wear and describe a cultural costume,” Mrs. Smith said.
The winner will receive numerous prizes, including a computer and a ticket onboard Discovery Cruise Line.
Organizers say the festival is open to all at no charge.
By: Courtnee Romer, The Bahama Journal
