One of the country’s oldest homecoming festivals, is all set to get under way on Labour Day, Friday, June 3 through Sunday, June 5. The event, which began in the 1970s by the Sandy Point Improvement Associ-ation, is now called The Sandy Point Homecoming and Regatta because in 2002, community leader, the late Bruce Lightbourne organized a C-Class regatta as part of the festivities.
Sandy Point, whose 1870’s founders included Mr. Lightbourne’s great-grandfather James “Papa Nim” Lightbourn (without the “e”), claims one of the finest traditions of sailing and the craft of boat building in the country. Mr. Lightbourne, whose untimely death on Mother’s Day in 2003 necessitated cancellation of the event that year, had one of the regatta cups named in honour of his late father, Leonard “Lil Jim” Lightbourn. Bruce Lightbourne’s widow, Valeria, is chairperson of the Sandy Point Regatta Committee.
This third annual regatta, which promises competition by C-class boats from throughout the Commonwealth in beautiful Sandy Point Bay, will be under the watchful eye of Commodore the Reverend Dr. Philip McPhee and under the patronage of Minister of Sports, Youth, and Culture, the Honourable Neville Wisdom, who will officiate at the closing ceremony on Saturday evening.
The regatta will also honour famed Abaco sailor Ivan Stuart, from neighbouring Moore’s Island, a veteran competitor and victor in regattas throughout the Bahamian Archipelago.
Sandy Point natives, descendants, and friends are expected to flock to the picturesque community at the south-eastern tip of Abaco from New Providence and Grand Bahama by ferry and chartered boats, as well as by air; and from various parts of the United States, especially Florida.
Because the Sandy Point festival is one of the most popular and patronized in Abaco, two local bus services, Enovah and Great Abaco Express, will operate a special schedule on the 47-mile Marsh Harbour to Sandy Point run on Friday and Saturday. One way fare is $10; roundtrip is $20 on both services.
The sailing races kick off at noon on Saturday, but the official opening ceremony, which will feature the Sandy Point Marching Band, will get under way at 6 p.m.
In addition to a wide array of foods and drinks, activities will include specially supervised water and beach games for children; conch-cracking, beach volleyball, and domino tournaments; rake and scrape music by Ophie and the Boys; junkanoo rush-out by the Spring City Rockers; and music throughout by DJ Crank.
The festival-by-the-bay will culminate with a fireworks display on Saturday night. An ecumenical close-out service is expected on Sunday, but details have not yet been announced.
The homecoming and regatta are being organized by the Sandy Point Regatta Committee, with special support from the Abaco Tourist Office, led by Director Jeritzen Outten. The proceeds from the festival will be used to complete work on the community’s hurricane shelter, the only one of its kind in the country.
By RICHARD E. FAWKES, Freeport News Reporter
