 Bahamian Brewery staff |  Sabor Staff |
 Noel Clarke- Agave restaurant |  Del Foxton -Artist |
Last year’s Festival Noel featured twenty-two wines and champagnes, this year, Bristol Wines and Spirits have stepped it up a notch and will feature thirty-two wines and champagnes from countries such as Australia, Chile, France, Argentina and Italy which guarantees to get everyone in the Holiday spirit.
 Guests enjoying the night |  Agave Restaurant- Winner of Chef noel 2008 |
“Bristol Wines and Spirits is proud to be a part of this year’s Festival Noel along with The Bahamas National Trust. We will feature more wines from the Old World and New World than ever before. We recommend that those in attendance enjoy the wines, music and activities of the evening as this year will truly be one to remember. We will bring the magic back to the second city, “said Bristol Key Accounts Manager, Jevon Butler.
Festival Noel is set to take place on Friday, December 4th from 7- 10pm and is often referred to as the event that kicks off the holiday season in Grand Bahama. This year Festival Noel is pleased to welcome back sponsors Colombian Emeralds International, Bahamian Brewery and Beverage Co., Freeport Advertising and Printing, Parfum De Paris and Cool96. Joining them this year will be Top Notch and Furniture Plus all making a combined effort to make this year’s Festival Noel, unforgettable for all of the right reasons.
For those die hard shoppers attending Festival Noel, the event will also allow them to see the newest lines and trends for 2010. Colombian Emeralds International will add sparkle to the evening by displaying many of their emerald, sapphire and diamond pieces and the newest favorite line, Pandora.Parfum De Paris will have several new fragrances including Bebe, Viva by Juicy Couture, Idol by Lancome, and Posh by Thierry Mugler. Furniture Plus will display their newest accessory lines, helping create the final touches on homes, especially for the busy holiday season.
“The Grand Bahama Regional Branch is excited about celebrating our 15th year of Festival Noel,’ commented Karin Sanchez, Chairman of the Grand Bahama BNT branch. “This is our one big fundraiser for the year and funds raised this year will revitalize the watchable wildlife pond and help make our park more of an attraction to our visiting tourists and students. I am hopeful Grand Bahamians will continue their annual support.”
 Shopping gifts |  Cars on display |
This year’s guest artist is Anthony Morley, known as “Big Mo”, a native to Grand Bahama who currently resides in Nassau and will display his vivid artwork in the Glory Banks Art Gallery. Joining him will be several local artists such as Alisa Robinson, Ken Heslop, Del Foxton, Janice Corkery, Rupert Watkins, Caroline Anderson, The Grand Bahama Artist Association and an Abaco artist, Raquel Russell. These artists, who have a passion for art, will display their work at the event with styles ranging from water colour to mixed media paper-collage.
And what would a wine tasting be without a tasty treat or two? This year’s participating restaurants are preparing for the annual culinary competition dubbed “Chef Noel”. This year’s Chef Noel competition will add a youthful flavor by working with the Culinary School of The College of the Bahamas, where students will compete for the participating restaurants and in essence, run the kitchen with the restaurant staff to support and cheer them on.
Restaurants’ participating this year are retuning former Chef Noel winner, Shenanigans Irish Pub as well as attendee favourite Joe Ret, aka the “pig man”. Trendy Island Java will also be at the event with new comers Social Butterfly Catering Services, Livity Vegetarian Take-Out and Juice Bar and the Catholic High School Catering Team. The committee is also excited that the well known restaurateur Chef Boulet will also be submitting a team to the competition featuring tasty treats from Luciano’s and Le Med!
 Guests on the night |  Live Entertainment |
Ysora Waugh, Barefoot Marketing Event Coordinator, for Festival Noel noted “I am very excited to join in the organizing of Festival Noel in a year where everything is developing in order to insure a beautiful and spirited event. An event that is sure to turn some heads and leave a positive impression with many Grand Bahamians”.
During last year’s event, multiple local musicians performed during the night, which proved to be a great success. Returning soloist Erik Russell will perform classic Christmas songs for guests and this year, two new musical acts have joined in the festivities. Joe Fox and his Trio will be performing jazzy and island sounds as well as well known vocalist Susan Jensen-Sweeting.
Tickets are on sale now for $50 in advance and $45 for Bahamas National Trust Members and will be available at Bristol Wines and Spirits, Barefoot Marketing and at the Rand Nature Centre. “We want to remind guests to purchase early this year as we have limited tickets available, ” noted Waugh “especially BNT members who can only get the discount before the day of the event.” Tickets will be $55 on the day.
 Live Entertainment |  Guests |
So come out Grand Bahama and take part in this wonderful event and contribute to your community and its many beautiful national parks!
