Goombay Festival September 2004

Student Life imported some Caribbean flavor for its traditional Fall Welcome Back. With the theme of the event centered around Caribbean culture it was only fitting that it be named after one of the oldest festivals in the Caribbean; “Goombay.” The Goombay Festival first emerged on the island of Bermuda shortly after slaves were brought in and it is based on music and rhythm from Africa. Every year Goombay is celebrated all throughout the Caribbean and parts of South Florida. The festival, which ran on Wednesday September 1st from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm and 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm, featured a live steel drum band playing a mix of contemporary and classic Caribbean music as well as a taste of Caribbean cuisine which included: Jamaican Beef Patties, Curry Chicken, rice with peas, and freshly baked loaves of Carrot Cake. “The band was good the music and food were great and the arrangement was very nice, Student Life should do these kinds of events at least once a month,” said Doreen Mbah a student at the Willis Holcombe Center. During the first half of the event Student Life had students fill out surveys and passed out complimentary Student Life t-shirts and other school-related paraphernalia. Unfortunately due to the threat from Hurricane Frances the second half of the festival had to be scaled back but Student Life was still able to provide its students with food and drinks before their Wednesday night classes.