27 ANNUAL LITTLE FARMER'S CAY FIVE F FESTIVAL

1/31/2013 THROUGH 2/3/2013

After touring around in the tender we pulled up anchor from our nest at Big Majors and met Algonquin coming out of Staniel Cay for a quick 10 NM trip to Little Farmer’s Cay Yacht Club.  Little Farmer’s Cay is the home of the Five F Festival, Little Farmer’s Cay First Friday in February Festival.  Families and friends, old and new, gather for a festival of good food, frivolous games, plenty of rum punch and, of course, the Class C Sailboat Regatta. 

All week the boaters had begun to gather in the waters surrounding Little Farmer’s Cay, most dropping anchor but some snatching up the few mooring balls.  We had thought ahead and reserved the two slips at the yacht club.

Friday morning Captain C, the mailboat, announced its approach with loud and rocking music.  As she sidled up to the face dock Steven and Dan rushed to secure their lines and join in the fun.  Not only did she arrive with pallets of food and drink, friends and families of the residence, bags of precious ice and lots of energy after the night long trip from Nassau but she was also loaded with five of the Class C sailboats that would race today and tomorrow.  The on board crane tenderly offloaded each precious boat then Dan and Steven helped locals to tow them to the west side of the island where the race would take place.

YOU CAN SEE THE SAILBOATS STACKED HERE

THE FAMILIES FLOCK ONTO THE ISLAND

REMEMBER THIS LOOK WITH THE BIG HAIR ROLLERS?

Being on ‘island time’ the announced 9:30 race time turned into around a 2:00 PM reality.  Talk about mass chaos, that doesn’t even come close to capturing the setting.  There were people milling on the beach, Bahamian food to eat, rum punch flowing and music blaring from the speakers at Ty’s Sunset Bar and Grill.

while Tall Boy was serving up some of his marvelous conch salad on the runway.

THE WATER SIDE OF TY'S

CRACKING THE CONCH 

  

Somehow Dan ended up towing boats, ferrying participants, searching for and delivering boat parts and rescuing the crew of a sinking boat.  The race starts with the crew poised and ready in the anchored sailboat.  At the sound of the start gun the sail is hoisted while the anchor is being heaved up.  --- and they’re off!  This way!  That way!  Whoops, they didn’t get their sail up.  Soon they are all flying across the water with sailors dangling off the long wooden planks that extend over the boat.  The triangles flit as they maneuver to keep the wind in their sails and their boats heading for the buoys that mark the course. 

NOTE HOW THEY HANG  WAY OUT ON THE LONG BOARDS TO COUNTER BALANCE THE 

During the two days of festivities there were four races, two participating boats that sank, planes taking off and landing in the midst of it all and gigantic trophies awarded to the regatta winners

THIS BOAT IS SETTING ON THE BOTTOM

MOVE OFF THE RUNWAY!  I'M COMING IN FOR A LANDING.

SERIOUS TROPHIES

AND THE OVERALL WINNERS FROM WHITTY CAY

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Sunday found things winding down.  The Captain C gathered its cargo of sailboats and returning passengers then cast off for Nassau.  Those of us hanging on watched the Super Bowl once Steven managed to get it streamed through Dan’s computer.  It wasn't flawless but it did provide much entertainment. 

DAY'S END