By KARAN MINNIS, Guardian Lifestyles Reporter, karan@nasguard.com

When most people think of Andros the words Crab Fest usually come to mind, but just as much fun as you had at Crab Fest, you can have at the upcoming All- Andros and Berry Islands Regatta in Morgan's Bluff, North Andros, over the Independence Day holiday weekend, July 10-12

The food stalls were completely renovated in readiness for the 15th annual event, according to Danny Ferguson of the Nassau committee who was actively engaged in final preparations.

"This is our committee's second year of planning the regatta, and we're excited to be staging a bigger and better event, and we invite all Androsians, people from Berry Islands, and indeed all Bahamians to support the regatta which means so much to the economic well-being of those communities."

This year's event is being held in honor of David Romer, deceased, who was a leading businessman and a founder of the regatta. In his honor, a new race called the David Romer Cup, is being staged.

"In addition to this we have a host of on-shore activities that are planned including entertainment by the Spank Band and Andros' own Elon Moxey, a 'hot wuk' contest, a cutest child contest, the ugliest man contest and lots more," says Ferguson.

"If you've never been to this regatta you're surely missing out. It's one of the largest regattas in The Bahamas and it has the best entertainment around," he says.

Regular races are scheduled in four classes with entrants from the three Nassau sailing clubs. Top finishers in classes A and B will receive $2,400 and $1,400, respectively. However, Ferguson is forecasting a bigger and better regatta event as persons are still signing up.

The regatta, which provides a significant economic boost to the North Andros communities, started in Conch Sound in 1986 and was relocated to Morgan's Bluff in 1993. It has been around for 15 years and according to Ferguson it has proven to be very successful as each time it has become even more of a financial benefit to the residents in the community.

"Everybody benefits — from the vendors, taxi-cab drivers, hoteliers, airlines, everybody gets a fair shake from this exercise, but it's not just about that. It's also about the fun and community spirit it develops."

Regattas have a strong history in The Bahamas as in 1954 a small group of Bahamian and American yachtsmen conceived the idea of holding a Regatta for the Bahamian working sailing craft.

The overall condition of the working fleet and materials for building the boats needed to be improved in order to be better prepared for the racing competition, however, the regatta offered a fine opportunity for Bahamian sailors to gather in one place, have some sport, and a chance for cruising yachtsmen to witness one of the last working sailing fleets in action. At the same time it introduced them to the magnificent cruising grounds here in The Bahamas.

So it was in late April 1954, nearly 70 Bahamian sloops, schooners, and dinghies gathered in Elizabeth Harbour (Exuma) for three days of racing. When it was all over the organizers of the event were so pleased with the success of their idea that they realized it must continue if possible. A regatta of this type would require a good organization and adequate funding. To accomplish this, the Out Island Squadron was formed. Made up of interested Bahamian and American yachtsmen, the Out Island Squadron took on the responsibility of sponsoring what was to become an annual event in George Town. From 1954 to 1967 this dedicated organization developed the Regatta from its birth to its place as one of the outstanding annual events in Bahamian affairs.

In 1973, as part of the Bahamas Independence celebrations, the annual Regatta was held in Nassau, and to reorganize the race a National Regatta Committee was formed. This committee has continued to take on the responsibility for staging Regattas each year around The Bahamas.

During its 42 years of existence regattas have brought together builders from all over The Bahamas and has pitted their vessels against one another for the ultimate test of the ability to build a winner. Racing rules state that each vessel must be Bahamian designed, built, owned, and sailed. Also, wherever possible, restrictions on materials used or allowed have been introduced so as to keep these racing boats as closely related to their working forebears as possible.

For more information on the All-Andros & Berry Islands Regatta contact the Andros Association Commodore Alphonso Smith at 329-2833.

15th Annual All-Andros & The Berry Islands Regatta

When: July 10-12

Wednesday, July 9

5 p.m. - until - Regatta Park opens

Great Bahamian music plus food, drinks and craft on sale.

Thursday, July 10

10:00am – until - Regatta Park opens

Bahamian Music plus food, drinks and crafts on sale

Pig Tie – 1st Round

Karaoke contest

7:30 p.m. - Annual All-Andros Regatta Church Service Church Service

Friday, July 11

10:00am – until - Regatta Park opens

10 a.m. - 5 p.m. - A, B, C class competition begins. Runs

Great Bahamian music plus food, drinks and crafts on sale

10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. - Music by Killa B

2:00 p.m. - Andros Pure Water drinking contest

2: 30 p.m. - Sexiest top on the beach, Butterfly, Belly Yuck Contest, Boggle, Pig Tie – 2nd Round, Sexiest bottom on the beach contests

5 p.m. - Dirty Wine Dance contest s

6 p.m. - Hot Wuk Contest

6:30 p .m. - Crab crawling dance contests

7: 00 p.m. - Opening ceremony

8-9 p.m. - Skippers Party, Regatta Park

9:00 p.m. - Local artists perform

Karaoke contest Finals

Saturday, July 12

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. - A, B, C class competition c

10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Bahamian music by Killa B

Pig Tie – Final Round,

3:00 p.m. - Cutest kid contest

3:30 p.m. - Ugliest man contest

4:00 p.m. - Beer drinking contest

5:00 p.m. - Dance contest

6:00 p.m. Sexiest Bikini

7:00 p.m. - Closing ceremony and trophy presentations

Closing Concert: Performances by The Spank Band, Stiletto, & Elon Moxey. Music by Killa B

Getting there:

Via Bahamas Fast Ferries: $86.00 roundtrip

Where to stay:

Small Hope Bay Lodge - $328 per night

Tiamo Resorts - $415 per night