There’s no better place to feel the true pulse of Bahamian culture this weekend. cat islandhere per year Rake and Scrap Festival Return for three days of music, dance and island cuisine.
This festival takes place over Labor Day weekend in the Bahamas. June 4-6 to Arthur’s TownLong known as the rake and scrape capital of the Bahamas. And it remains a signature cultural event on this quiet, traditional island. Southern Outer Island — a celebration that attracts visitors from across the archipelago and beyond.
For beginners, rake It is one of the Bahamas’ most unique musical traditions and is based on hand-made and repurposed instruments. These include a ridged carpenter’s saw played with a screwdriver or nails, a goombay drum made of goatskin, an accordion, and a maracas. Born in a rural island community, this is the kind of sound that turns a town square into a dance floor. It’s a primal, rhythmic and downright Bahamian sound.
This is exactly what happens on Cat Island.
The festival was created to celebrate this musical legacy and ensure that younger generations can continue the tradition, and the lineup reflects this mission. Throughout the weekend, the festival brings together thrilling live performances from local and national artists. quadrille dance, gospel concert And much anticipated Battle of the Rake and Scrap BandsThe competition is at the heart of the weekend.
There’s a lot more to it than that.
The day tends to start off smoothly – breakfast and lunch in the park, games of dominoes and checkers, and the easy rhythm of island life – and energy builds towards the main event of the evening. Visitors can sample traditional Cat Island cuisine, browse locally made crafts from straw work to jewellery, explore fishermen’s and farmers’ markets and take the kids to the game-filled children’s corner. A portion of the festival’s proceeds go toward scholarships for local high school graduates, which is a perfect fit for an event focused on the next generation.
All of this unfolds in the nearby town square. Arthur’s Town AirportCrowds typically number in the thousands. Just enough to fill the square with energy, but not so much that it takes away from the distinct intimacy of the Out Islands.
place to stay
Word to the wise for travelers: This is a popular event, and Cat Island’s small hotels, inns and guesthouses fill up quickly around the festival weekend. If you’re planning a last minute trip, book now. Book a place worth your trip.
The clear choice is Rolez Villa Beach ResortThe island’s best boutique beach hotel and, for our money, the best place to stay on Cat Island.
This is not a huge resort with fancy swimming pools or loud nightlife. It is small, private and family owned. Carl and Yvonne RolleThe people who have created this place with a warmth that turns first-time customers into regulars. The property features approximately 10 self-contained villas located directly on the property. Old Bite Beachis one of the longest, uninterrupted stretches of powdery white sand in the Bahamas, a six-mile ribbon of soft sand facing the calm and incredibly blue Caribbean side of the island.
The villa itself is spacious, simple and infused with island colours. Featuring one- and two-bedroom layouts, full kitchens or kitchenettes, air conditioning, comfortable beds, free Wi-Fi, and sunset porches. This is not resort luxury in the fancy sense of the word. It’s comfortable on bare feet and feels just right on Cat Island.
The resort recently added a pair of new two-bedroom villas. Beach bar right on the sandAnd the team can organize almost anything, including bonefishing, snorkeling, island tours and trips to nearby landmarks. Carl is also known to cook dinners centered around fresh Bahamian seafood and growing produce in the property’s own garden. Reservations are recommended as everything is made to order.
It’s the kind of place where you can walk along the beach for miles and never see another soul. And with the festival right on your doorstep, you can enjoy the best of both worlds: the bustle of one of the Bahamas’ great cultural festivals at night and the quiet, secluded beaches during the day.
How to get there
Cat Island is located about 130 miles southeast of Nassau, and getting there is part of the adventure. Services available on the island include: Bahamas Airlines There are also local carriers such as: western airRegular flights run from Nassau to Arthur’s Town in the north and New Bight in the south. Private charters are also an option, and the historic Bahamian Mail Ship still operates for those with extra time.
One tip from frequent visitors: Regional flight schedules in the Out Islands can be flexible, so make sure you have room and be prepared to board early.
In addition to the festival, Cat Island also rewards exploration. This is the house of alvernia mountainHighest point in the Bahamas at just 206 feet HermitageThis is a stone monastery hand-built by legendary priest and architect Father Jerome. There are blue holes, historic farm ruins, world-class bonefishing flats, and some of the most undeveloped coastline found anywhere in the United States.
But this weekend the island’s heart beats loudest in Arthur’s Town, where saws, drums and accordions will once again call the Bahamas home.
