People
The Goombay Festival is a time of celebration and reunion. It’s when former residents return to reconnect with friends, family and neighbors. It is chance to celebrate the area’s Bahamian roots that date back to the 1800s and to be a part of a cultural tradition that began in 1977. It is three days of family-friendly fun filled with great food and music and energizing Junkanoo rushes. Below is a selection of photos that capture the joy this annual event brings to Little Bahamas of Coconut Grove.
(L) Goombay Queen, Traci Young-Byron at Armbrister Park on the opening night of the Goombay Festival, Coconut Grove, Florida, 2024. Photo by Yaasmeen Johnson.
(R) Goombay King, Dr. Richard Holton on Grand Avenue, Coconut Grove, Florida, 2024. Photo by Paola Katherine Rodriguez.
Along Grand Avenue, festivalgoers bring tents and chairs to settle in for a day filled with music, food and Junkanoo rushes. (L) Photo by Mariela Gonzalez (M) Photo by Enrique Rosell (R) Photo by Jason Smith
Festival goers dressed in T-shirts celebrating Goombay and Coconut Grove.
(L) Armbrister Park, Coconut Grove, Florida, 2024. Photo by Fernanda Romero (M) Grand Avenue, Coconut Grove, Florida, 2024. Photo by Mariela Gonzalez (R) Grand Avenue, Coconut Grove, Florida, 2024.Photo by Mariela Gonzalez taken on Grand Avenue
Grand Avenue, Coconut Grove, Florida, 2024. Photos by Paola Katherine Rodriguez.
(L) Festivalgoers join a Junkanoo rush, Grand Avenue, Coconut Grove, Florida, 2024. Photos by Lisbeth Moquete. (R) Grand Avenue, Coconut Grove, Florida, 2024. Photo by Yaasmeen Johnson.
(L) A festivalgoer records a Junkanoo rush Grand Avenue, Coconut Grove, Florida, 2024. Photo by Yaasmeen Johnson. (R) A vendor sells souvenirs Grand Avenue, Coconut Grove, Florida, 2024. Photo by Mariela Gonzalez.
Grand Avenue, Coconut Grove, Florida, 2024. Photos by Enrique Rosell.
(L) Parents push strollers down Grand Avenue, Coconut Grove, Florida, 2024. Photo by Jason Smith. (R) People walk past the Abaco building on Grand Avenue and Plaza Street, Coconut Grove, Florida, 2024. Photo by Jason Smith.
People gather at Grand and Douglas as a performer takes to the stage. The picture on the left captures a colorfully painted building that used to be The Tiki Club. Coconut Grove, Florida, 2024. Photos by Jason Smith.
(L) Three generations of Groveites on the opening night of the Goombay Festival at Armbrister Park, Coconut Grove, Florida, 2024. Photo by Enrique Rosell. (M) Two friends pose for a photo in front of the Ace Theater on Grand Avenue, Coconut Grove, Florida, 2024. Photo by Yaasmeen Johnson. (R) A group poses for a photo in front of the Queen Supermarket mural on Grand Avenue, Coconut Grove, Florida, 2024. Photo by Paola Katherine Rodriguez