The annual Gombey Festival Showcase has been cancelled this year after repeated reschedules over poor weather, the Minister of Youth Culture and Sports announced today.

Owen Darrell said: “I am saddened to have to cancel the Gombey festivities this year due to uncooperative weather.

“I certainly hope the holiday season is blessed with better weather.”

Mr Darrell said that he spoke to Gombey troupes to share his disappointment and appreciated the work that went into the performances.

He added that the Department of Culture’s Gombey Unity video documentary was soon to be completed and will be released later this year.

Mr Darrell said: “I would like to reiterate how appreciative I am of each member of every Gombey troupe for their unwavering passion for the craft and our culture, ensuring our traditions are not lost to time.

“Rest assured that we are all proud of and grateful for the year-round dedication that it takes to ensure that this important part of our cultural heritage is preserved and enjoyed by all Bermudians.”

The 2023 Gombey Festival face repeated postponements over poor weather conditions.

The showcase was originally scheduled to take place on October 7 at the Botanical Garden’s main show ring, but the date was pushed back over concerns about the potential impact of Tropical Storm Philippe.

Organisers later announced that the event would take place October 19, but the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Sport decided to push the event back to November 4, citing forecasts of inclement weather.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Culture previously said the annual event required significant resources and infrastructure, which cannot be set up in harsh weather.

The Bermuda Weather Service predicts cloudy weather on Saturday with further showers.