Community and Culture Minister Wayne Scott showed he has a head for heights when he welcomed members of a St Kitts stilt walking team to the Island this morning.

The stilt walkers will be taking part in Saturday’s Gombey Festival, when five Gombey troupes will perform at the WER Joell Tennis Stadium.

Minister Scott, said: “The Gombey Festival is held annually to celebrate Bermuda’s premier folk dancers, the Gombeys.

“This is a tradition of dance that has been passed down through the ages from generations of master Gombey Dancers.

“This annual celebration of folk music and dance is important for the strengthening of our traditions and the Gombey Festival was started for this very reason.”

Each year the festival honours an individual “who has cultivated and strengthened the traditions of Gombey music and dance” and this year the recognition goes to Gary Phillips.

“Through his lifetime, Mr. Phillips has demonstrated an intense admiration, respect and love for the Gombeys and no matter the various stages of his life, Mr Phillips has been a dedicated mentor and champion for Bermuda’s Gombeys,” Mr Scott said.

In addition to the visiting stilt walkers the five participating Gombey troupes are Warwick, Places New Generation, Warner, and the most recently formed Gombey Warriors.

The festival begins at 5.30pm and admission is free.