BeachFest moves to Snorkel Park

Update: BeachFest organizer Gavin Smith says that Chewstick is already planning BeachFest 2014 - and they hope to return the event to Horseshoe Bay Beach in future years.

Organizers moved the event following “severe financial challenges, exasperated by tight timelines, and an increasing event budget due to the sheer scale of such an unprecedented event.”

Chewstick Foundation Executive Director Gavin “Djata” Smith explained: “Planning with Government has been going well, and Beachfest at Horseshoe Bay was poised to be better than ever, however the severe funding gap through lack of sponsorship, meant that the shortfall would have to be made up through revenue generated on the day — a risk that Chewstick simply cannot take any more.

“We are already working toward Beachfest 2014, and all agencies and stakeholders are committed to ensuring this never happens again and that Beachfest is positioned to be a globally recognized, signature Bermuda event.

“We are grateful to retain sponsors The Bermuda Department of Tourism, Digicel and Blue Halo, as well as having new partner Snorkel Park”

The event was at risk of being cancelled in its 8th year until the opportunity at Snorkel Park arose.

This year’s event entitled “BEACHFEST Emancipation Jouvert Party” will be taking place on Thursday, August 1, from 12pm to 3am the next morning. This year for the first time Beachfest will have a door price which will be $10 during the day, and then $20 after 7pm and will include all activities and entertainment. Reasonably priced food and beverage will be on hand courtesy of Snorkel Park, and the entire facility will be transformed to capture the Beachfest spirit.

It will feature the same activities and entertainment including Volleyball, Wacky Races (Wheel Barrow, Sprints, Piggy-Back etc.), Tug-o-War, and for the first time - One Bounce and Swimming Races, all for prizes.

A few of the acts slated to perform are DIA, Rivah, Uzimon, Crazy Wednesdays, The Ukeladies, Cami Cam to name a few. DJs on hand to keep the party going well into the night are DJ Chubb, DJ Castro (NYC), DJ Agile (TO), Lenky Bwoy Movements, DJ Kade, DJTanZ and more.