Nassau BAH - The ColinaImperial CAC Championships will open this Friday evening, July 8th with pomp, pageantry and much culture and entertainment.

The championships is intended to be a celebration of the sporting, cultural, and entertainment richness of the region, which is made up of some thirty-five countries and two French dependents with quite a variety of culture and entertainment.

From Barbados Socca star Alison Hinds is expected to thrill the crowd!

Bahamen, of "Who Let The Dogs Out" fame have not performed in the Bahamas for several years and are looking forward to give both Bahamians and visitors a thrill. Other Bahamian talent includes Visage, KB, the National Children's Choir, Colours Junkanoo Group and a group of dancers.

Hatian band L'orchestre Septentrional will be there, as well as a Steel Pan band from Trinidad and Tobago!

From Mexico there is a mariachi band. Reggae star Terrorfaboulus will represent Jamaica.

Cuba will also be sending a 20-member group to perform at the Opening.

The Championships are being held during the Bahamas' thirty-second Independence Anniversary Celebrations.

Prime Minister Perry Christie, who won the country's first international field events medal, a bronze in the Triple Jump in the 1962 CAC Games in Kingston, will declare the championships officially open.