NASSAU, Bahamas (13 March. 2023)– The Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation (MOTIA) is excited to announce its signature event, the 4th Annual Long Island Mutton Festival, a two-day cultural extravaganza slated for 24 -25 March 2023. Following a two-year break due to the COVID – 19 pandemic, this staple cultural event returns bigger and more vibrant, with  Junkanoo rushout and live entertainment headlined by the country’s top performing artists, a culinary feast, fun contests and traditional games for all ages , a farmer’s market and authentic souvenir craft, all taking place at the Festival Site at Salt Pond, in Central Long Island .

“Each of our 16 island destinations has its own unique personality,” said Latia Duncombe, Director General of MOTIA. “The Mutton Festival offers residents and visitors alike the delightful opportunity to immerse themselves in the distinctive culture of Long Island.”  “The memorable experience of the Long Island Mutton Festival is one that cannot be had anywhere else in The Bahamas,” she added.
  
Long Island is renowned across The Bahamas for its delectable mutton dishes.  For food and drink lovers, there will be close to a dozen vendors with a variety of native dishes and beverages to choose from. A wide range of mutton dishes will be prepared on site, including mutton souse, curried mutton, baked mutton, mutton kabobs, mutton fried rice, mutton fritters, everything mutton!

Festivalgoers can look forward to two days filled with live entertainment by top Bahamian artists Geno D and Melo D, fire dancers and a showstopping Junkanoo rushout.
Each day of the Festival, there will be loads of fun activities and friendly competitions, including blind folded obstacle course, corn chucking contest, sack race, egg and spoon, conch race, trivia, judging of animals, and a culinary competition. Cash prizes, trophies, medals and gift bags will be awarded to trivia and culinary competition winners. A special Kiddie Corner will engage young ones in interactive games, activities and storytelling.

On Friday, the Festival opens with a farmers market featuring a wide array of the island’s produce and authentic souvenir craft.  For the animal lovers, animals will be on full display, with a free photo op for children to take photos holding a lamb.

Festival hours are 2 p.m. to midnight on Friday, 24 March and 8 a.m. to midnight on Saturday, 25 March.  Long Island Junior Minister will emcee the opening ceremony on Friday, 24 March.

Entry is free for this event. There will be free Wi-Fi on site.

The Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation invites residents and visitors to come and enjoy an immersive authentic Long Island style experience with family and friends.

For more information and save the dates, visit Bahamas.com and TourismToday.com