by Andrew Coakley – Bahamas Information Services
Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey said the Ministry for Grand Bahama is committed to promoting and preserving the cultural heritage of Grand Bahama Island, and events like the Coconut Festival are an essential part of that mission.
Minister Moxey was the keynote speaker at the short opening ceremony for the 23rd Coconut Festival in Pelican Point on Monday, April 10, 2023. She said that she could have thought of no better way to spend the Easter Monday holiday than in the beautiful settlement of Pelican Point, celebrating community, culture, and all the ways her Ministry has been working to preserve that culture.
In spite of the threat of a few showers, hundreds of Grand Bahamians and visitors travelled to Pelican Point on Monday for the annual Festival to enjoy native dishes, treats, Bahamian music and the beautiful beach, which provides the unique backdrop for the all-Bahamian experience.
This was the second year since the COVID-19 Pandemic and lockdowns that the festival made its comeback and from the turnout, the bounce back continues to be strong.
Minister Moxey acknowledged the hard work of so many people, groups and organizations who made the return of the Coconut Festival such a success, including the Grand Bahama Coconut Festival Committee, the team at the Ministry for Grand Bahama, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, and most importantly the community of Pelican Point.
“I cannot overstate how excited I am to see the willingness to show up for your community and share our culture with visitors from near and far, with open arms,” said Minister Moxey.
“I would also like to recognize the efforts of ‘Beautiful Grand Bahama’, an initiative launched by the Ministry for Grand Bahama’s Collab Unit, that played an integral role in the return of Coconut Festival to the Pelican Point Community, last year.”
