BRILAND REGATTA

Harbour Island Regatta, the most known event that takes place for the island of
Eleuthera. Harbour Island is a small island off the coast of Eleuthera. Harbour Island is one of
the main attractions and considered a part of Eleuthera even though it is another island. Every
year in the month of October (2nd week), Harbour Island known as Briland hosts its annual
Regatta celebration.

This year (2014) will make 25 years since the first official regatta back in 1989. Over the
24 years of existence Regatta has changed and became more developed and well known.
Regatta is held right at the foot of Harbour Island’s dock where various boats come in including
the Bo Hengy (Fast Ferries). When touching down, you are greeted with warm hugs and music
and Bahamian music playing. A lot of people don’t know that Harbour Island regatta actually
starts the following week before the main crowd actually gets there. The opening night starts
with a church service and a gospel concert. This is really to get a solid foundation for the rest of
regatta, since the Bahamas is a Christian oriented nation. Monday night is called “Family
Night”, a night for sporting activities like basketball and track and field with your family. Family
Night is a night for the youngsters and their parents to spend out bonding.

Tuesday night is “Down Home Fish Fry Night”. Down Home Fish Fry starts at 6pm and
goes on until the crowd has had enough. All night long snappers and barracudas are well
seasoned and placed on a steaming hot grill until deliciously crispy. You can constantly hear
knives chopping vegetables and fruits on stall counters over and over as stall owners get ready
to blend them with minced conch for conch salad. All of this adds to the wonderful and
pleasant environment. Wednesday is the “Under the Stars Block Party”. This is where all night
partying starts and DJ’s from New Providence cove over to join in. Thursday night is the
Opening Ceremony, this is when majority of individuals think that regatta starts. The Opening
show has the Culture Show which starts at 7pm featuring local Bahamian artists.

Friday is the 1st day of sailing, contestants enter their boats to race each other. There is
also the Royal Police Force Dog Show, and performances by The Brilanders and Veronica
Bishop. Saturday is the 2nd day of sailing along with a beach bash called “I Got Pink Sand In My
Shoes” held on Coral Sands located in the back portion of Harbour Island. The beach bash start
at 11am and ends around 6pm. Later on Saturday evening there are more live performances by
Geno D, The Spank Band, and Puzzle. Sunday is the Closing Ceremony and Awards Cermony.
Monday is officially the last day of Harbour Island Regatta, known as “Sitting on the Dock of the
Bay”. Everyone sits and remembers reminisce over the great weekend they had. It is officially
time for everyone to say their farewells until next time. The Brilanders leave you with this
statement, “BRILAND SWEET HEY!!...YOU’LL COME BACK NOW YA HEAR.