Goombay Summer Fest, originally the Key West African-American Heritage Festival has grown over the years and evolved into an educational as well as cultural experience. This year the Goombay Committee has decided to broaden our scope and take the show on the road and sponsor a cruise to the Bahamas to show our Bahamian Brothers and Sisters the tourist trade we promised them is a two way street.
March 30th, through April 5th, 2009 a group of fifteen Key West Goombay Committee Members, family and friends, went on a Caribbean cruise to Mexico and Jamaica now; we want to share with you the incredible experience we had just call Melissa (305) 509- 0016 or email us at goombay-festival@comcast.net for the links to the booking website that we will be using.
Goombay, Key West’s local favorite street festival dates are October 23rd & 24th, 2009. We start the fall events with the Community Fishing Party October 11, 2009 at one of the locals favorite fishing holes; to be announced only days before the event. In Bahama Village we call it the “Goombay Community Fishing Party”; . This event is for the whole family, its fishing, dancing, card games, food, drinks and good ole fashion family fun (Bring your own cooler & fishing supplies).
This will be our 29th anniversary celebration. “29 YEARS AND STILL THE LOCALS FAVORITE STREET FESTIVAL” We want to give you an opportunity to be a part of this local favorite cultural celebration. In the past we have featured headline acts such as Sweet Emily, Geno D and the Spank Band and the Royal Bahamas Police Force Band. This year we will keep it local. Giving you the best of the best of All of South Florida.
October 16th is the VIP reception and block party in front of the Coral City Elks Lodge, 1107 Whitehead Street, our official headquarters. The Opening Ceremony will be held 6 PM at the main stage on Emma Street in front of the VFW on Emma Street, There will be local officials, gospel choirs and open microphone opportunities for local talent to perform on the stage. Friday and Saturday is the Street Fair where vendors from all over the world display their wares for you to purchase.
Since these cultural exchanges began both the Bahamas and Key West have benefited. 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 stages of a cruise to the Bahamas from Key West. Goldie's Bahamas Seafood Restaurant (a vendor from the Bahamas that participates in our event annually) has opened a location in Miami that we patronize and we have a contingency that attends the Island Roots Festival annually. Last year the City Commissioner from our district (The Honorable Clayton Lopez) who, happens to be a member of the Coral City Elks Lodge and Commissioner Mark Rossi (a sponsor of our event annually) where among that group.
We have a lot in common with the Bahamas; our small Black Community is filled with descendants of the Bahamas and when you come to Key West you are treated as family. We are doing our part to keep culture first and keep the connection between Key West and the Bahamas. Feel free to call or email us with any suggestion or recommendations. You may contact me directly at ken@keywestelks.com.
