Month by month - The Bahamas - page 29

INDEPENDENCE DAY
On July 10, 1973, the Bahamas became fully independent from Great Britain, though it re-
mains a member of the commonwealth. Independence Day is celebrated country-wide with
parades, fireworks and other festivities.
August
The hottest month of the year, August marks the beginning of the Atlantic hurricane
season. Tourism begins to slow, especially toward the end of the month.
EMANCIPATION DAY
On the first Monday of the month, the Bahamas joins many other Caribbean nations in cel-
ebrating the passing of the Slavery Abolition Act, which ended slavery in the British colon-
ies in 1834. In Nassau, celebrations are centered around the community of Fox Hill ( Click
here ) .
CAT ISLAND REGATTA
Held on Emancipation Day, this is the biggest event of the year on Cat Island ( Click here ) .
Sailboat races, domino tournaments, fried conch and rake 'n' scrape music keep crowds
entertained late into the night.
October
As the hurricane season wears on, hotel prices nosedive and once-crowded beaches
are nearly empty. If you love solitude and don't mind the minor risk of a storm, this
is a prime time of year to visit.
NORTH ELEUTHERA SAILING REGATTA
This three-day racing pageant features scores of locally built sloops vying for the champi-
onship while onshore festivities are roaring. Boats sail between North Eleuthera, Harbour
Island ( Click here ) and Spanish Wells.
MCLEAN'S TOWN CONCH CRACKING FESTIVAL
Watch the conch shells fly at this one-of-a-kind Grand Bahama event, where competitors
vie to break open the most conchs in a short time period. There's even a category for tour-
ists! All manner of other conch-related festivities make this a fun day for all ( Click here ) .
November