By BARBARA WALKIN

Senior FN Reporter

barbara@nasguard.com

For the second time around, the Ministry of Tourism is partnering with the Miami Dolphins for the Second Annual Grand Bahama Dol-Fan Fest.

The three-day event is set for June 23 - 25.

Leonard Stuart, who is responsible for Sports Tourism Market in Fort Lauderdale is excited over the chance to bring this event to Grand Bahama for the second time.

"We are happy to have the Miami Dolphins partner with The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism for the Second Annual Dol-Fan Fest," said Stuart.

"We are looking forward for an exciting time and we are calling all the people in the islands of The Bahamas to come out on those days to enjoy the Miami Dolphins, who would be the next Super Bowl champs."

Stuart noted that South Florida is expected to host the next Super Bowl and that is why, "we are in partnership with the Miami Dolphins."

Organizers, added Stuart, have a number of activities on the agenda for the weekend affair.

Deputy director for the Florida Market in Plantation, Anthony Stuart reiterated that this will be the second time we are hosting the Miami Dolph-fan Fest here on Grand Bahama.

"Last year gave us the opportunity to partner with one of our strong pocket partners the Miami Dolphins and basically what we are doing here is taking the opportunity to bring some of the alumni players, some of the active players of Miami Dolphins; the cheerleaders, the mascot of the Miami Dolphins along with the junior training camp to Grand Bahama."

The group is expected to be in Grand Bahama on opening day of the Dolph-Fan Fest.

"Basically what we have planned for the weekend is that on Friday, June 23 is what we refer to as the ultimate game party," said Anthony.

He explained that this is when there is actually a "tail-gating" party set up for visitors that will be travelling to Grand Bahama for the Fest, including those from the Family Islands.

"We have invited them all to come to Grand Bahama to participate in the tail-gating event, where we will have the same things you experienced at an actual football game - the barbecue, the games, the trivia.

"We will be giving away a whole lot of prizes."

Anthony explained that what this is going to do is give visitors the chance to join the Miami Dolphins, mix and mingle with the Grand Bahama population, experience some of that hospitality that Grand Bahama has to offer and simply have a great time.

"On Saturday we are going to have a junior training camp," he added.

"The Miami Dolphins are bringing down their trainers and some of their equipment management team and, from 9:00 to 12 noon they will host a training camp session."

The training camp will be held at the Rugby Field. "We are hoping 200 plus students come out and take part in practice drills."

Anthony said this will give the youngsters an opportunity to get some actual training from the Miami Dolphins and meet some of the players and cheerleaders.

"Following that, from 1:00 to 4:00 we are going to host what we refer to as the Dol- Fan Fest, where once again the people will come out with us at Tranquility Shores and party with the Dolphins Camp."

Members of the community and visitors will get the opportunity to take pictures with the players, cheerleaders, the mascot.

Charles "Softly" Robins, responsible for Sports Tourism, Grand Bahama Ministry of Tourism office also expressed his excitement at having this event held in Grand Bahama for the second year.

"This is a great opportunity for Grand Bahama and we are looking forward to this three-day event," added Robins.