When you think of the Bahamas, you think of beautiful clear water, white sand beaches, and food that is out of this world. As accurate as your visions might be, there are several things to add to your list of things to do during the month of December while visiting this Caribbean gem. Checking in with the Bahamas Tourism Board to assist you with your travels before you go might not be a bad idea. They are a wealth of information and can assure you the most wonderful time during your stay! Here are our top three reasons why you should visit the Bahamas during this time.
The Popeyes Bahamas Bowl
The Popeyes Bahamas Bowl, a NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) postseason bowl game, was founded by Lea Miller, president of Complete Sports Management, in 2013. The Bowl’s ultimate goal is to promote the Islands of The Bahamas and the educational and athletic opportunities for youth through college football, while providing its USA and Mid-American Conference teams and their alumni, fans and sponsors a first-class bowl experience. In it’s second year–inaugural for the players–tens of thousands of college football fans watched as Western Michigan and Middle Tennessee battled it out at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium on Christmas Eve. With over 15,000 fans in the stands, 56 radio stations hearing the game throughout the country, and a live broadcast on ESPN-TV, this year was a smashing success yet again with multiyear title sponsor Popeyes Chicken.
The top plays for the game included Middle Tennessee wide receiver James Richie (10 touches, 187 yards total offense, 3 TDs), Western Michigan wide receiver Corey Davis (eight catches, 183 yards, one touchdown) and running back Jamauri Bogan rushing 19 times for 215 yards and 4 touchdowns. The combination of these plays and others ultimately led them to victory over Middle Tennessee 45-31.
Junkanoo
Junkanoo is an energetic, colorful parade of brightly costumed Bahamians gyrating and dancing to the rhythmic sounds of cowbells, drums and whistles. The official celebration occurs between December 26 and January 1 — beginning in the early hours of the morning (2:00 AM) and ending at dawn. If you know how New Orleans’ Mardi Gras and Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival are celebrated, then you can get a sense of what to expect. Check out some of the costumes from the Junkanoo Exhibit we visited on our tour.
International Film Festival
The Bahamas International Film Festival going on its 12th year is held in early December. The week-long festival screens documentaries, shorts and feature films from around the world and also spotlights Bahamian films. At the end of each screening, the film’s creator joins the audience for a discussion of the movie. The festival includes opening and closing galas, an awards ceremony and educational sessions.
So as enticing as the white sand beaches and blue waters of the Caribbean can be, there’s more to experience in the Bahamas!
