Every fall the island's residents, some 8,260 inhabitants in 1974, put on a colorful festival consisting of daily sailboat races, a sail around the island, beach barbecues and dances to steel drums and a parade. For four days the sailing fishing fleet and a fleet of offshore yachts from neighboring Curacao and Aruba, Venezuela, Puerto Rico and as far as the US mainland race in the delightful balmy winds. Steel bands set up camp on the beach where island children, dismissed from school for a week for this high point of the year, frolic in a carefree atmosphere. Meanwhile the number of inhabitants of Bonaire has doubled, the rest remains unchanged. Regatta House - All Rights Reserved.
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