NEWS ABOUT US - All Abaco Regatta - OLD news -- for 2001 Regatta
NEW news coming as soon as we receive it - webmaster - 2-24-2

This year's All Abaco Regatta consisting of Bahamian work boats is being organized under the theme "Something BIG Is about to Happen." An organizational meeting held January 11, 2000, brought approximately 20 interested persons to lay the foundation for this fall's event.

The Abacos' Senior Island Administrator, Mr. Everette Hart, chaired the meeting. Public Relations Officer Frank Hepburn read a press release giving tentative dates of September 20 - 22 which is about a month earlier than last year. This is a quiet time for accommodations, rental cars and other support facilities and the regatta will give an economic boost to those facilities. Last year's October regatta saw most accommodations filled in North Abaco.

This year there will be a change in the make-up of the boats entered in the competition. Only eight to 12 Bahamian work boats will compete for the new Abaco Cup Championship prize. The overall winner may take as much as $17,000 in prize and expense money. Entrants will be invited by placing first, second or third in any of four prior regattas, the Family Island Regatta in George Town, the All Exuma Regatta in Nassau, the Long Island Regatta and the Andros Regatta at Morgan's Bluff. The Abaco Rage will enter as a home boat from the host island of Abaco.

Abaco Markets has committed to the $10,000 sponsorship for the Class A winner of the Abaco Cup Championship.

A prime fund-raiser will be the sale of professionally produced video tapes of the various Abaco communities extending from Grand Cay in the extreme north to Hard Bargain on Moore's Island to the south. This tape will let our residents and visitors have a collection of Abaco scenes to show friends and relatives in distant places.

The regatta committee is expecting to be given control of the land between the highway and the waterfront at the ferry dock site. It will be cleared carefully to capitalize on the vegetation and ground features found there. This will be developed to provide a larger "village" site for parking, food and entertainment facilities.

A disco may be constructed which can be rented to various groups for concerts and other events throughout the year. Appropriate vendors will be encouraged to rent the booths during periods of high visitor activity and offer island treats and crafts more often than just during the All Abaco Regatta.

Live bands and varied activities will be featured during the three days of boat racing. Events for families and children will be featured.

It is expected that a proper stage will be built and the restrooms improved and possibly enlarged. Attention will be paid to the collection of garbage and the regular maintenance of the restrooms.

By June at the time of their home-coming, Sandy Point is expecting to have a ramp in place allowing several of the Nassau car ferries to bring people and cars from New Providence. This would also facilitate Nassau visitors wanting to visit the All Abaco Regatta in September.