Only persons in authorized Junkanoo Carnival Company costumes allowed in parade
NASSAU,
Bahamas — The Bahamas National Festival Commission has announced the
rules and regulations of the Road Fever event, reinforcing that only
persons attired in costumes provided by registered Junkanoo Carnival
Companies will be allowed on the route.
Scheduled for May 9th, the Road Fever competition has 28 groups registered to offer packages to the public.
“Only
through these Junkanoo Carnival Companies will participants be allowed
on the parade,” said CEO of the BNFC Roscoe Dames. “And only costumes
purchased from one of these companies are authorized for participation.
“It’s
important that everyone understand this because these groups have to
adhere to certain regulations in the designing of their costumes and the
incorporation of indigenous Bahamian material. So there will be a
consistent theme of all things Bahamian that judges will be looking for
on that day. ”
President
of the Bahamas Carnival Band Owners Association Dario Terrelli said it
has been brought to his attention that some businesses around Nassau
were selling costumes for the Road Fever event. He said many people
were under the impression that they could circumvent the Bahamas
Junkanoo Carnival companies all together but still participate in the
event.
“We
are frustrated that companies are selling costumes and it is not one of
the registered companies and we believe it might be taking away from
our efforts,” he said. “It’s not only costumes we are selling, but
complete packages.
“To
‘Jump in Da Line’ you have to be with one of the registered Carnival
Companies and because packages include not only costumes but drinks,
foods, events etc.”
Judging
on that day will be done based on a number of areas, including Best
Section Costume, Best Application of indigenous material — pre-judged
beforehand — and Best Overall Group. The Road Fever event is open to
BNFC registered companies and all groups must pass three judging
stations on that day, with at least 50 percent of their groups
represented at each judging station.
The
judging will be done on that very same day of Road Fever, with all
tallies to be independently confirmed by Baker Tilly Gomez.
To select a costume from a Junkanoo Carnival company to participate in the event with, visit www.BahamasJunkanooCarnival.
com,
browse through the different costumes under the section, make a
selection and proceed to checkout. Once purchased, an invoice number
will be given that a customer will use to redeem with the group at a
later date.
ABOUT: The first Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival, sponsored by BTC, is a collage of Bahamian culture set for
May 7-9, 2015.
It is a festive weeklong celebration where Bahamians and guests from
around the world are immersed in all things Bahamian in an entertaining
and interactive manner. For more information please visit our www.bahamasjunkanoocarnival.
com, follow us on
Twitter @carnivalbahamas,
Instagram: Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival and
Facebook: Bahamas Carnival.
BTC
is the proud title sponsor of Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival. The company
has provided $1 million in funding to ensure the success of this
national event. BTC has been a long-time supporter of Bahamian culture
and arts and believes that this sponsorship will continue to further the
evolution and growth of Bahamian culture.