By Candy Herwin - Contributer

The Salt Cay Homecoming splashdown certainly lived up to its name as a Cessna 401    lost an engine and miraculously splashed down and landed in the pond with all lives spared on Friday, July 24.
The colourful floats in the cross cultural parade of nations was just beginning to wave the flags and kick off the fun filled weekend of activities when the aircraft was spotted flying very low and making a swift descent into the salt Salinas just North of the Salt Cay airport.…naturally everyone shifted focus and rushed to the scene and the local guys led by our Fire Department waded out to the crash site and helped with the successful rescue of all six passengers aboard.
Bradley Williams, the pilot is certainly a Turks and Caicos hero and was still cool, calm and collected as he helped the passengers onto the wing.
Not to be discouraged the events continued through the evening with a fabulous talent contest with island stars delighting the audience. Patriana sang ‘The Greatest Love Affair’, Bella swung around with the hula hoops, the children performed the African dance and we heard singing sensation from Radio Turks and Caicos our very own Nish  singing Michael Jackson’s Human Nature.
The night rocked to the incredible Tropical All Star Band backed by Techno Sounds and the crowd were treated to a surprise performance by the ‘Contact Band from Inagua’ which was greatly appreciated and sponsored by the Wilson brothers, our  home boys from Provo.
The proceeds from this event said our D.C, Ms Carolyn Dickenson will go towards the restoration of our hurricane storage building. “The weekend was most appropriate” she continued “and the weekend was a much needed distraction and a way for the residents to unwind after a difficult and arduous year since the hurricanes devastated the island last September.. It was a great way to create bonding with all the family and friends that supported the events and a way to prepare us for the inevitable changes that we are going to face in the next few months”
The children too had the time of their lives bouncing in the castle and were in awe of the fantasy figures that danced with them to the rhythmic sounds of the Island Boys that gave the children some of their first experience with percussion instruments and introduced them to the rake and scrape music which is an integral part of their culture.
Meanwhile the soccer match between the Salt Cay Whalers and the Grand Turk team kept the crowds excited which might have had something to do with the delicious whelk soup, the traditional dish of Salt Cay!
We warmly thank all of our wonderful sponsors that made the Homecoming Event possible…The Alexander, Ocean West, Royal West Indies. Regent Palms, Nikki Beach, Mango Reef, Coral Reef and Island Thyme.
A big thank you too to Digicel, the Governors Office, Caicos Express, Air Turks and Caicos, Lindsey and Global Airways, Salt Cay Ferry, Oasis divers, Osprey and Bohio for their generous donation and of course  to Salt Cay Devco who continue to financially support and help not only the Home coming Event but many Salt Cay projects throughout the year.