Oistins Bay Gardens is celebrating its 27th anniversary with a bang.
Members of the Bay Gardens 27th anniversary sub-committee held a media conference in Oistins yesterday alongside Government’s Special Advisor on Culture and Heritage, Senator John King; Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association chairman, Renee Coppin, National Conservation Commission chairman, Senator Lorenzo Harewood and Member of Parliament for Christ Church South, Ralph Thorne.
Sub-committee chairman Julia Crawford said very little was known about the people who worked “tirelessly and selflessly” to create the Bay Gardens and the upcoming week of celebrations will throw a spotlight on them.
“Many of us are second and third generation . . . learning to continue the legacy of small businessmen and women determined to provide an authentic Bajan experience to patrons as well as taking care of our families at the same time,” she said.
“It is not easy, it is something you have to be in to fully appreciate – early morning operations, late night closings, good days, bad days, fantastic customers, not-so-pleasant ones and everything in-between.
“It is all worth it after a tiring day, but none of this would be possible without the vision, dedication and persistence [of those who went before]. We intend to use the occasion of our 27th anniversary to celebrate and make known to Barbadians the people who paid for what we all enjoy and benefit from today,” Crawford said.
Thorne said there had always been a good relationship between Bay Gardens and the Berinda Cox Fish market next door, saying it was the fish vendors who helped Oistins become what it is.
He said what the island had at Oistins was unique and there was nothing in the Caribbean which matched “this important cultural feature in the life of Barbados”.
The week will include an all-day musical extravaganza on January 21; a birthday celebration on January 27; karaoke/back-in-time on January 28 and an awards ceremony on January 29. (CA)