By KARAN MINNIS

Guardian Lifestyles Reporter

karan@nasguard.com

Baha Men said it best when they sang "Going Back to the Island," and Bahamians and foreigners alike will do just that as they travel from near and far to party at the 52nd Annual Cat Island Regatta, Friday, Aug. 1 - Monday, August 4, in New Bight, Cat Island.

Each night from Friday to Sunday there will be a concert featuring a variety of Bahamian stars, with Elon Moxey performing on Friday, Ancient Man firing up the crowd on Saturday night, and K.B and Terez Hepburn heating things up on Sunday night. The Police Pop Band will also electrify the crowd, with the Police Marching Band's precision drills performed to the delight of the public. Local Cat Islanders will also perform a quadrille dance.

If none of those items float your boat, and domino playing is your kind of thing, then join in on the weekend-long domino tournament that will also take place. The action may be more fast and furious than what takes place on shore.

"It's all about having a good time," says president of the Cat Island Regatta Committee Maxwell Burrows. "That's why we will have plenty of food stalls, plenty of games, beaching and excitement. We expect this year's to be one of the largest regattas in the history of Cat Island, and everybody is looking forward to it. That's why we've put in approximately $140,000 into producing this event, and I must say that every dime was well spent."

If you're planning to attend, you need to make ready to bunk with family or friends, because most of the hotels are already booked to capacity.

"Right now the Regatta Committee is having trouble finding more living accommodations," he explains. "This is all due to the excitement of the event and to the change of date with Just Rush [Junkanoo parade in Grand Bahama]. Because that event was held earlier this year and because that is a holiday weekend people are looking for something to do and Cat Island is the best place to be."

For sloop sailing enthusiasts, the 52nd regatta will feature competition between 18 sloops, with six boats competing in each class.

This year Wilbert Forbes, a local sailor, and Albert Rolle, a local pilot, will be the regatta's honorees. "It's only right to honor these men because they have been very important to our regattas," said Burrows. "Albert's father was very instrumental to the organizing of our regattas, and now Mr. Rolle has become one of our largest annual regatta sponsors. Wilbert, on the other hand, has been sailing for quite some time, but he's most known for his C-class boat called the 'Wild Child', which he gave to the local school for the students to learn how to sail. That's a big deal. So we felt that naming these men as our honorees was only fitting."

For more information on this event please contact the Local Government Office, New Bight, Cat Island at 242-342-3185.

52nd Annual Cat Island Regatta

Date: Friday, Aug. 1 -Monday, Aug. 4

Location: New Bight, Cat Island

How to get there:

Bahamas Fast Ferries - $130.00 round trip

Pineapple Air - $210.00 round trip

Cat Island Air - $190.00 round trip

Where to stay:

Pigeon Cay Beach Club - $225.00 per night