Akumal's 50th Anniversary Celebration

VERY SPECIAL CELBRATION MAY 29 TO JUNE 7TH TO COMMEMORATE THE 5OTH ANNIVERSARY OF AKUMAL.

THE MISSION STATEMENT – GOING BACK AND GIVING BACK

WHO
We want this event to draw visitors from all over the Riviera Maya and Cancun that are staying at other destinations , as well as to draw visitors to Akumal to stay at all of the various rental properties in all the bays. The focus will be on anyone that enjoys a Festival, loves Akumal, or wants to get to know Akumal. It is for new visitors, repeat visitors, friends and family.

It is also for the Pueblo of Akumal to be able to enjoy the various festivities and activities, as well as to have added exposure for the businesses of the Pueblo that are geared towards tourism.

WHAT
The Festival will commemorate the history of Akumal starting in 1959 when Pablo Bush Romero headed the first CEDAM expedition to the Matanceros Shipwreck.

WHEN and WHERE
Guest will arrive on May 29th so nothing is scheduled that day or night.

Tentative schedule of events goes as follows:

May 30th 6:30pm- 10pm
Opening Ceremony – Keynote speaker ( to be selected)
A Latin Dance Exposition by the Local Schoolchildren
Location: CEA INFO CENTER AND BEACH area.
Theme: A Taste of Akumal
All restaurants and businesses from both the Pueblo and Akumal beach side that want to participate will set up their booths while Latin music is played with a DJ, and people can buy services, products , food, and drinks from the various vendors. This is an opportunity for all non-profit associations to set up a booth also.

Each table will have a cost and the proceeds split between CEA and the Akumal United Fund of the Akumal Development Council.

DAY EVENTSSPORTS - Tennis Tournament, Fishing tournament, Triathlon, Diving Event ( dates to be decided) Part of the proceeds to be donated to CEA and THE AKUMAL UNITED FUND equally.

PABLO BUSH ROMERO MUSEUM – Location: The Lolha Game Room. We will house part of the artifacts from the Museum in Puerto Aventuras.(No entrance fee)

The book “Under the Waters of Mexico” by Pablo Bush Romero will be for sale here. (All week) Part of the proceeds will be donated to CEA and the PABLO BUSH ROMERO SCHOLARSHIP FUND.

PHOTOGRAPHIC DISPLAYS - Location: CEA INFO CENTER will house AKUMAL IN PICTURES. Anyone wanting to display their pictures of Akumal will be able to do so. Ask your repeat guests to participate! (All week) No entrance fee.

I would like to also have someone interview some of the long time residents of Akumal Pueblo and Akumal Beach side so guests can hear their stories along with some pictures. This could be in the form of a video presentation.

SPEAKER SERIES – Talks will be no more than 25 minutes with audio visuals. Any subject pertaining to exploration or ecology of the area. Speakers need to be invited. Example: caving, archaeology, CEA programs, anthropology. (I will have an audio visual presentation on some movies and pictures that my father left pertaining to The early days of Akumal and the Matanceros Wreck.) Donation box will be put out for CEA and Akumal United Fund.
Location: CEA INFO CENTER
Time: Late afternoon before dinner, dates to be decided

NIGHT TIME EVENTSEach restaurant will be able to slot in a time and date for any special event they wish to promote during this week. Live Music, Special dinner menus, etc, so as not to conflict with each other. In this way, our guests can go from event to event and not miss out on anything. Each business can decide if they would like to donate any of the proceeds to the two causes designated as benefactors of the Festival. It is not mandatory.

CLOSING CEREMONY
June 6th – If we can get a sponsor for this event, the idea is to hire a top latin band to play at the Cancha area. An MC will give a message to bring the week’s festivities to a close. The idea is not to charge if we can get funding for this.

Logistics and Notes
Anyone can sell commemorative items with their own logo. No specific logo has been developed for the event. If we can get someone to design a logo at no charge, we can have everyone add it to the items they sell, e.g., T shirts, bags, caps, etc.

A special limited edition replica of a Matanceros Cross is being designed by Richard Mazzola and we will be selling them with part of the proceeds going to CEA.

Now comes the good part!

I need to hear back from everyone right away. The success of this Festival is dependent on how much interest and volunteers I get to chair each event. This is a community based festival, everyone will benefit from the exposure that Akumal will get in the press . The Riviera Maya Association is very interested in helping us with the marketing efforts.

Please take the time to fill out the Questionnaire I will send separately. I would like to have them all back in a few days if possible!

THANK YOU !!! LETS MAKE 2009 A YEAR OF GOING BACK AND GIVING BACK!

Laura Bush Wolfe