It’s always an delicious time in The Bahamas, especially on the island of New Providence during the Autumn season. September to November, there are numerous annual festivals all waiting to satisfy your foodie cravings. This year was no different. I tried to attend each one and savor the flavors of the islands and everywhere else. I realized that I am truly a festival girl. I am festivals and they are me. We are one. I literally had the best time to each one and really don’t know how I am going to make it now that the festival season has ended. Here’s a recap of the fall festivals I explored:
- Paradise Plates (September 29th): Fall Festival season started with a bang. Food, drinks, music and a good cause all wrapped up in one. Celebrating 10 years, this event organized by Hands for Hunger was absolutely amazing. I tried to sample everything; I really did. There were booths lined everywhere filling the Imperial Ballroom of Atlantis. I literally walked up and down, all night, in heels might I add, sampling mouth watering dishes. I enjoyed food and drinks from Six and Four, Pop Stop, Nobu, Le Petit, Cheesecake Heaven, Bahamas Culinary Team, Cafe Madeline, Pulpy, Wild Thyme, Seafire, Fish, Cleo, Fi’lia, Katsuya, John Watling’s and a few more. I hardly took any photos at this event as I was trying to take it all in. I would definitely do this again.
- International Cultural Festival, AKA, Food Fest (October 14th): Nostalgia always sets in when this particular festival comes around. I usually reflect on my senior year in high school and my college days because this was a highly anticipated event for me during that time. Botanical Gardens in its’ usual fashion meets the world. I had empanadas from Peru, “Panty ripper”, yes that’s the name (its an alcoholic pina colada) from Belize, a lamb gyro from Greece, a mango pop from my favorite Popsicle brand Pop Stop and another delicious treat from India.
3. Wine & Arts Festival (October 28th): When I say, I had everything. I mean EVERYTHING. There were 13 booths with 4/5 bottles of wine and champagne to try. Don’t go thinking I had 13×5 glasses of wine, but I did try at least one from each booth. It’s just something about the way the trees fall here and the beauty that surrounds you at Bahamas National Trust that made me never want to leave. Vell Monkey Foot also won my heart with their gator tacos. I am now a stan of everything VMF.
Did I mention, there was also food sampling from Bahamian chefs? The dishes were excellent, of course. Wine tasting, live music and great food are always a wonderful experience. The vibes at this festival were unbelievably good. This place was magical. I honestly feel as though, this is the life for me and I need a Wine & Art Festival every month. *Cries tears in annual event*
4. Central Bank Festival (November 10th): History was made with the inaugural Central Bank Festival. Not only was it Free admission, but this unique festival introduced me to smaller vendors that I knew nothing about. Classic Brunch pioneers like POW were in attendance and I had to get my usual fix of the Crackling Cluck. However, I also got to sample amazing sushi from Chef Mokamo and a frozen adult capri sun from Island Pops.
Pursenyal Paradise and Kujia were just a few of the companies displaying their creatively Bahamian products. This adorably quaint festival gave me a new appreciation to what it means to be Bahamian. From the food, drinks, performances (scripted and not, lol) and artisans I was one with my culture and extremely proud.
5. Jollification (November 18th): I really wished I spent more time here. I’ve heard about this festival since I was in high school, but I never got a chance to go. This year, I had to experience it for myself and boy, was I not disappointed. First things first, too much people live in Nassau and everyone clearly loves Jollification. This event was packed, like worst than Food Fest packed. There were lines everywhere! Besides that though, it was a lovely time. I honestly, did not know where to start first. I had a gingerbread shot, it was super cute and tasty. Like literally an egg nog flavored liquid with a piece of gingerbread in the middle. Vell Monkey Foot definitely saw me again, this time I went with the Monkey Burger & Crab Cake Sliders. Vendors were selling artwork, flowers, jewelry you name it. An amazing time truly.
As you can probably tell, I am a festival lover in every way. Nassau Fall Festival time is definitely the best time.
Derencia Travels 
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