Goombay Festival to Spotlight Key West’s Bahamian Heritage
KEY WEST, Florida Keys — In the early 1800s Key West was settled in part by Bahamian residents who migrated across the water to the new American seaport city. The annual Goombay street festival, a high-energy celebration of the cultural connection between Key West and the Bahamas, is set for Friday and Saturday, Oct. 23 and 24.
A family-friendly event now in its 29th year, the lively Goombay Festival is centered on Petronia Street, just off Key West’s famed Duval Street in the heart of historic Bahama Village. Events are to take place from noon to 11 p.m. both days.
Each year the festival attracts thousands of people who view and purchase African and island arts and crafts, savor the flavors of Caribbean and ethnic delicacies and spend two rollicking evenings dancing in the streets. The crowd typically blends national and international visitors and residents who have made attending Goombay a local tradition.
Friday night’s entertainment headliner is to be the Robert Albury Band, with Soca Man Cliff starring on Saturday. Other scheduled entertainers include the Voices of Praise gospel group, Blessed Community Gospel Choir, the band Mantra composed of local high school students, talents from Key West’s Bahama Village Music Program and the locals’ favorite Steel Your Heart Band. The Junkanoo group “Thunder From Down Under” is to make a special appearance.
Goombay weekend marks the beginning of Fantasy Fest, Key West’s 10-day masking and costuming gala, scheduled Friday, Oct. 23, through Sunday, Nov. 1.
For more information about Goombay, visit www.goombay-keywest.org.
For lodging information in Key West, contact the Key West Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-LAST-KEY (800-527-8539) or visit the Keys Web site at www.fla-keys.com