Eleuthera’s 7th Annual Food and Craft Festival

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ELEUTHERA, BAHAMAS – It was a day filled with entertainment, fun and laughter on One Eleuthera’s CTI campus in Rock Sound Saturday, as locals and tourists attended the Ministry of Tourism’s 7th Annual Food and Craft Festival.

The event featured a range of some of the island’s best artisans in authentic crafts and local cuisine.

I came for the “good ol’ island food, and I was not the only one.

First time attendee Lucille williams shared the same sentiment.

Lucille Williams – Attendee

“I come to look for food”

Loyal patron Brenique Johnson echoed the same, while also telling me how she’s seen the event develop throughout the years.

Brenique Johnson – Attendee

“The last time it wasn’t as big as how it look now to me. It seem like it really gotten bigger.”

Another highlight of the festival was the lineup of entertainers scheduled to perform.

Among them was Shine 242, who told me the yearn for unique cultural experiences is growing.

Shine 242 – Recording Artist

“Each island has its own vibe, and a lot of Bahamians hasn’t experienced that.”

Manager for the Ministry of Tourism’s (MOT) Office in Governor’s Harbor Eleuthera, Glenda Johnson-Ingraham, says the festival is a good time, but it’s purpose is to stimulate the local economy.

Glenda Johnson-Ingraham – Manager, MOT Governor’s Harbor

“The support as been great from the visitors actually, we are here in Rock Sound where there are good compliments of boaters, so during the morning time we see the boaters coming in and visitors passing, like going through the south or going back to the north.”

This is the third year the Ministry of Tourism has held the event in Rock Sound in partnership with One Eleuthera Foundation (OEF).

Chief Communications Officer for OEF & Centre for Training and Innovation (CTI), Yolanda Pawar, told me that they’ve continued to foster this collaborative effort as it aligns with three of their pillars – culture, economy and community.

Yolanda Pawar – Chief Communications Officer, OEF & CTI

“Being able to see new and diverse vendors come out and ask in advance to participate. Being able to see headliners come from Nassau, Bahamian artists, to bring their artistry here to the islands…”

“Seeing our boating tourist and our regular visitors look forward to coming back and attending year after year, are all the signals to us that it is growing.”