Goombay by Day

October 20, 2019

 

 

 

Goombay by Day

As much as I love going to the annual Goombay Festival at night, I also enjoy the daylight hours, which often get lost in the shuffle of people discussing the festival. While everyone goes down for the nighttime portion of the event, the daylight hours are in some ways just as interesting and rewarding. Tourists and locals flood the streets seeking out some delicious food or just to enjoy the carnival-like atmosphere that is found there. It is crowded, but much less so, then the crazy nighttime version and you can easily check out the food and vendors without having to wait in line or push through crowds.

 

About five or so years ago, Goombay added a variety of carnival rides and games that have turned out to be a huge hit. Smaller Midway type rides are packed at all hours of the day with the island’s kids as this is the closest thing to a State or County Fair that we have here in Key West. It is merely a shadow of what you would find at a major fair, but it seems to do the trick nonetheless as the kids love it and it gives them a way to enjoy Goombay even more.

Vance

Karen and Justine 

The main stage of entertainment is located in the same area and the field in front of the stage is always packed with people dancing and singing along to the music. Festive Junkanoo costumes as typical in the Bahamas are prevalent and while I missed the annual Junkanoo Parade this year, it is always a highlight of the Goombay Festival.

 

Bahama Village residents bring out chairs and can be found in abundance just sitting along the side of the street, watching the festivities, which include some of the best people watching of the year. Catching up with friends and just enjoying the community comradery are typical Goombay activities as most of the island turns up at one point or another.

 

 

The daylight hours seem less frenetic and it gives one time to take the time to look at the variety of amazing vendors who are on hand lining the street. I also enjoy being able to take the opportunity to look in the shops that are found in the Bahama Village area, which include many of my favorite places such as Besame Mucho. I don’t get down to the area all that often and it is cool to be able to spend some time in what is one of the most interesting and dynamic sections of our island community.

I spent a couple of hours during the afternoon, before heading home and resting up a bit before the return for the second night of Goombay. The second night crowds seemed down just a little, but the quality of the entertainment remained strong. The guys at Lost Boy Creations set up a groovy little stage in the courtyard behind their business, which is an awesome new addition to Goombay.

The band that they had was the amazing and talented Experimento from Miami. While based in Miami, the band has a truly International flavor as their members come from all over the world and they play an amazing upbeat style of music that combines Cumbia, Reggae, Ska, Salsa, Merengue, Dembo, Kuduru and Funk with elements of Rock, R&B, HipHop and Dancehall.

 

It is an incredible mix and variety that had the crowd going as they played full set, which I stayed and watched about 90 percent of, which says something in itself as there were so many other options happening at the same time. The little courtyard is yet another great addition to the festival and again, much like the back area of Blue Heaven recaptures some of the feeling of an old school Key West party.

 

So another Goombay has come and gone, with Fantasy Fest beginning in earnest the very next day, it can happen that Goombay quickly slips from memory as the FF events take over and suck up all the attention, but Goombay is worthy of standing on its own and is one of the best, most fun and unique weekends of the year here in Key West. Can’t wait till next year!

 

 https://www.xperimento.com/