The Tribune

The Longest Table comes to Nassau – and children’s artwork will form the centrepiece as more than 600 guests dine at 700ft-long table

More than 600 people will sit down along the Western Esplanade on Saturday for community event The Longest Table – and as diners take the place, they will find their tables adorned by handprints from the children of Blairwood Academy. 

The idea behind The Longest Table – which is being held under the patronage of the Governor General, Dame Cynthia Pratt - was to bring together the community of The Bahamas – and with community being one of the central beliefs of Blairwood Academy, it made for a perfect partnership. 

The handprints – in the colours of The Bahamas – are on a runner that will stretch along the full length of the table, which will stretch for more than 700 feet. 

The Longest Table is about more than sharing a meal. It’s an evening built around connection, conversation and the experience of being part of something unique. It will see hundreds of people join together as the sun goes down for a moment of unity. 

For Blairwood Academy, that unity was a key part of becoming involved. 

“It’s all about school and community working together,” said Shemeca Moss, the academy’s director. 

Under her guidance, the children decorated table runners with their handprints in Bahamian colours, adding a personal touch to Saturday’s waterfront gathering.

Shemeca said the children truly enjoyed participating, especially the little ones who were excited to see their own handprints.

As hundreds of Bahamians gather around one long table this Saturday, these colourful creations will serve as a reminder of what The Longest Table is all about, community, connection and unity. 

Blairwood Academy is a specialised school in Nassau for children with dyslexia, ADHD, autism and other learning differences. It has been a pioneer in improving the lives of children and advancing standards in education, and organisers wanted to include the school to highlight their work for the benefit of the community. 

The Longest Table is an event that has been hosted around the world – but this is a first for The Bahamas. It will see the table divided into groups – each headed by a table captain – with each group bringing its own food and any extra decorations, but ultimately joining in one long table to dine together. 

“We wanted to bring people together and this event is ideal – it is not about taking sides with anything, it is simply being together as a community,” said Paula Welch, of Diane Phillips & Associates, which is organising the event alongside John Watling’s Distillery. 

“We have been genuinely touched by all those who have supported the event – with helping hands from Baha Mar, which has provided the tables and chairs, the Governor General’s staff, the police for ensuring security, the Bahamas Parks and Beaches Authority, Bahamas Waste, and so many more. And nothing shows those helping hands more than the handprints of the children from Blairwood Academy.”

Pepin Argamasilla, co-founder of John Watling’s Distillery, said: “We wanted to bring The Longest Table to Nassau because it truly is something that brings people together. At John Watling’s, we love to encourage partnerships and togetherness because that is how we all help one another. This will be a chance for people to sit down as a community. It will be a moment of history – and an event we hope will return and grow.”

There was a high demand for tickets for the event, which is free – and booking has now closed. Dining begins at 5.15pm on Saturday.