The sights, sounds and flavors of the Bahamas are coming to Broward County this weekend as the City of Miramar hosts its first-ever Bahamas Goombay Broward Festival.
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The free, family-friendly celebration will transform Miramar Regional Park into a vibrant showcase of Bahamian culture, featuring colorful Junkanoo parades, authentic island cuisine, live music, local artisans and activities for all ages.
For Miramar Commissioner Avril Cherasard, bringing the festival to Broward is about celebrating a community that has long been part of South Florida’s cultural fabric.
“You can’t do anything Bahamas without doing Junkanoo, and we are doing it so big in Broward this year. I don’t think you’ve seen a Junkanoo parade as big as the one we’re planning, and we’re planning two,” Cherasard said.
The festival begins Saturday afternoon with a family-focused experience from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., featuring interactive crafts, Bahamian history lessons and activities designed especially for children. As the sun sets, the celebration shifts into high gear with live performances from Bahamian artists beginning at 6 p.m.
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While many South Floridians are familiar with the annual Goombay Festival in Coconut Grove, organizers say the Miramar event offers a unique opportunity to celebrate Bahamian heritage in Broward County, where a large Bahamian community lives and works.
“I reside in Broward County. I have a leadership position in my city, and it’s my duty to bring resources to the residents who are here,” Cherasard said. “Miramar is the central focus for a lot of culture in South Florida, and why leave out an opportunity to highlight the vibrancy, the rich Bahamian culture in the city of Miramar?”
The inaugural Bahamas Goombay Broward Festival takes place Saturday, July 18, from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Miramar Regional Park. Admission is free.
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