Goombay Festival

October 18, 2008





Goombay Festival



One of my favorite annual events is the two day party that officially kicks off Fantasy Fest, Goombay. This year marks my 18th year of attending Goombay and after all these years it still holds a fascination for me. Not that there is anything new or really significant about it, In fact it remains much the same year after year. What makes it so special is how it brings together the community in celebration of its Caribbean heritage and how the wonderfully diverse mix of cultures that live here come together for a grand party.

Dwayne, Kathy & Michel



The weather for the Friday evening portion of Goombay was spectacular and it brought out a huge crowd to enjoy the wonderful mix of Caribbean food, libations and an eclectic mix of vendors in addition to the musical entertainment. As in most years, everyone comes to Goombay. We always run into friends and acquaintances that we have not seen in ages and this year was no exception. In fact, I’d venture to say that there are a number of people that I see all of once a year..…at Goombay.

Blue Heaven



Bahama Village, which is the Bahamian neighborhood that hosts the festival changes a little each year and seems to get slightly more gentrified with each visit we make, yet it still is a magical place that harkens back to the way Key West when I first arrived back in 1991.

Lisa & friends

Rick & Carla

Fiona adjusts former Queen Nadene's tiara

One of the changes this year was the switching over of the Lemonade Stand art gallery into a new incarnation of The Environmental Circus, which was open for years on Duval Street next to the San Carlos Institute, Theron Lyda, the owner has moved on to live in Costa Rica, but his daughter Jennifer opened up a new version in the Lemonade Stand space. Seeing the old inventory from the Circus on display again, brought back fond memories of a simpler time.



Jennifer



As usual, we hung out in the street between Johnson’s Grocery and Blue Heaven, a perfect place to see people as they pass. We also took the chance to go into Blue Heaven to watch live music in the courtyard. It was a great evening with great friends, delicious food like the inevitable meat on a stick and Southernmost Falafel and the opportunity to recapture the spirit of a Key West that is slowly disappearing before our eyes.

The Bubba System

Post Goombay, We headed along with a large crowd of locals over to the Green Parrot to see the great band, The Spam All-Stars. They play an eclectic mix of funk & soul and are immensely popular.

The Spam Allstars


Spam Allstars

Goombay