Bahamas Red Cross Society officials dubbed the 73rd annual Red Cross Fair, held this past Saturday, a success.

Bahamas Red Cross Director General Caroline Turnquest told the Bahama Journal that everything went off without a hitch for the event as well as for the 77 vendors who occupied stalls providing the games, food and excitement.

“All of the organisations have come out to support us so we know this (was) going to be a good fair,” she said.

“There (were) lots of people out and the weather (was) good and people (were) spending. Remember last year, it rained so we had to change the date of the fair so we didn’t make the kind of money we usually do. But this already is shaping up to be a better year.”

Mrs. Turnquest said officials will do a count on the profit from the fair this week.

Officially opening the fair was Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes who said the Bahamas Red Cross Society does an excellent job coming to the need of Bahamians.

“I want to congratulate the members of the Bahamas Red Cross Society for doing such an excellent job every year,” Sir Arthur said. “You may recall that last year we didn’t have any hurricanes nor the threat of a hurricane but we ought not to allow that to make us complacent. Just last week the United Nations issued a statement which was backed up by scientists and they are warning us that climate change is taking place and so we have to be prepared for all sorts of things in the future.”

The governor general said the country is archipelagic and one of the threats is rising sea level and acidification, which is destroying the reefs in the Caribbean and around the world.

“We ought to be prepared,” Sir Arthur said.

“We do know that whatever happens is that our Red Cross will be prepared to assist victims of disaster at any time so spend your money and help the best cause in the world.”

President of the local chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Taisha Lloyd explained to the Journal why the sorority and the members of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity continue to assist the Red Cross with the fair every year.

“Both organisations are service oriented groups and so we like to keep that momentum going and we like to give back and this is the perfect way to do so,” she said.

“There are times that we need to call on the Red Cross and so giving back to them is like second nature.”

Omega Psi Phi member Lenardo Dawkins shared similar sentiments.

“We have been coming out since 1989 and we just want to do the right thing by giving back to those in need,” he said.

“From one non-profit organisation to another, we know that there are people out there hurting and we know that the Red Cross is always there so we are just here doing our part.”

Alpha Phi Alpha was also at the fair selling hot dogs.

We are a service organisation and we believe in helping others; it is our duty to help others so we will help the Red Cross give help and hope to people in need and that’s very important

The fair, which was held under the theme “Entertaining the Young At Heart,” was held at the Lower Grounds of Government House.