Press Release

Goombay Fantasy 2011

The Bahama Village Goombay Festival has grown over the years and evolved into an educational as well as cultural experience. Key West's locals favorite family friendly street festival dates are October 21st & 22nd, 2011. We start the fall events with a tribute to a musical legion in our community with a Black Tie Event October 1 at the Grand Key Double Tree resort; next on our agenda is a the Community Fishing Party October 14th, 2011 at one of the locals' favorite fishing spots; location to be announced only days before the event. This event is for the entire family featuring, fishing, dancing, dominoes, card games, food, drinks and good Ole fashion family fun (Bring your own cooler & fishing supplies)and the very next evening we have the 2011 Goombay VIP reception at Rick's Martini Lounge, Saturday, October 15, Starting at 8PM.

This will be our 31st annual celebration. "31 YEARS AND STILL THE LOCALS FAVORITE STREET FESTIVAL", "Rake 'N Scrape, Forever" We want to invite you to the locals favorite cultural celebration "Goombay 2011". In the past we have featured headline acts such as; Sweet Emily, Geno D, The Spank Band, The Royal Bahamas Police Force Band, Arrow, the Mighty Sparrow and many other well known artist. This year we promise to give you an event you will remember a lifetime. Please, take the time to visit our website at www.goombay-keywest.org, schedule of events tab where you will find an event that you won't want to miss. This year we are expanding the festival area boundaries to include the park at the end of Petronia Street we call Goombay Park.

October 20 is the vendor early booth space registration at the Coral City Elks Lodge, 1107 Whitehead Street, our official headquarters. The Opening Ceremony will be held 6 PM at the main stage in the heart of the park in the last real neighborhood left in Key West, commonly known as Bahama Village. There will be local officials, gospel choirs and open microphone opportunities for local talent to perform on the main stage. Friday and Saturday, October 21 and 22, noon - midnight both days is the world famous Street Fair, where vendors from around the world to display their food, arts and crafts that will amaze you.

Since these cultural exchanges began, both the Bahamas and South Florida have benefited with an increased tourism and a better understanding and acceptance of each others history and culture. Many independent groups, out of Key West have sponsored cruises to the Bahamas usually leaving from Miami or Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and our committee is in the planning yet another cruise to the Bahamas departing from Miami this Spring. Contact Ken for more details. Goldie's Bahamas Seafood Restaurant is a vendor from the Bahamas that participates in our event annually, as well as many other talented artisans from around the world and we have a group of citizens from Key West that attend the Island Roots Festival annually on the island of Turtle Cay in the Bahamas.

Key West has a lot in common with the Bahamas; our small island community is filled with descendants of Bahamian decent. When you come to Key West you are home and treated as family. It is said when you come to Key West and get the sand in your shoes, you will never want to leave. We are doing our part to keep culture first and hope to see you and your family at this years events. Feel free to call or email us with any suggestion, recommendations, or fund raising opportunities. This year we are producing an official souvenir program guide and you may purchase an add space in the collectors edition official program guide by contacting Ken Sullivan: ken@keywestelks.com. You may honor anyone with an "in loving memory mention for only $5 a name or 5 names for $20.

PGER Ken Sullivan, (ER)
Coral City Elks Lodge # 610
(305) 896-5514

Click here to view the 2011 Goombay Festival commercial

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