Revelers can experience sights, sounds and flavors recalling Key West’s Bahamian heritage at the family-friendly Goombay Festival scheduled Friday and Saturday, Oct. 18-19.
The street festival takes place in the Bahama Village neighborhood, settled in the early 1800s in part by Bahamians seeking a new island home.
The Goombay Festival marks the start of Key West’s Fantasy Fest, a 10-day costuming and masking celebration whose 2024 events continue through Sunday, Oct. 27.
Goombay’s action is centered on Petronia Street, just off Duval Street in the heart of Bahama Village. Events are scheduled from noon to midnight both days.
Highlights include Friday night’s “Junkanoo Rush” and Saturday’s traditional Junkanoo parade of costumed marchers. Both will feature the Bahamas’ renowned New Generation Cultural Group, with Saturday’s parade starting at 6 p.m. and following a route that includes portions of Duval and Petronia streets.
Attendees can savor the flavors of Caribbean and ethnic dishes offered by vendors, discover island-influenced arts and crafts, and dance to live music by popular Bahamian, Floridian and local musicians and bands.
The main entertainment stage will be at the corner of Emma and Olivia streets, with performers offering nonstop music in multiple genres. The entertainment lineup includes “soul man” Robert Albury, soca singer Hebrew Edwards and the Caribbean Explosion Band presenting reggae and soca rhythms.More information is at facebook.com/keywestgoombay2018/ and fantasyfest.com.
