From:TheBahamasWeekly.com
Grand Bahama set for BJC Kickoff Weekend
By Immerse Bahamas
Apr 14, 2015 - 12:29:59 PM
Organizers and partners of Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival Kickoff Weekend slated for April 17th and 18th met Sunday at Worker’s House with all those involved to finalize plans for the event.
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Freeport, BAHAMAS – Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival (BJC)
fever is in the air and all systems are go as Grand Bahama makes ready for the
biggest non-stop cultural kickoff party the island has ever seen set for this
weekend on Taino Beach.
The
BJC committee met at Worker’s House over the weekend with team leaders and
their workers, vendors, volunteers, Junkanooers,fitness
instructors,artists,DJs and local performers to finalize plans for
the Taino Beach site which is being transformed into a Cultural Village.
Organizers
are working hand in hand with the Ministry for Grand Bahama, Ministry of
Tourism, Royal Bahamas Police Force, Grand Bahama Health Services, various security
companies and corporate Grand Bahama to ensure the event’s success.
Bahamas National
Festival Commission Consultant Ginger Moxey thanked all in attendance for
believing in Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival and coming onboard for the signature
event.
Minister for
Grand Bahama Dr. Michael Darville told the large gathering that Bahamas
Junkanoo Carnival is for everyone as the first ever event is anticipated to
cause an injection that will have a “trickle-down effect” on the economy- from hotel
rooms, to local restaurants and other businesses in the tourism sector.
“It’s bigger than politics. It’s about us in Grand
Bahama working together with a unified force to turn the economy around,” he
said. “It’s not a one-shot deal, this is something that is going to happen year
round. Everyone is going to get a little piece of this.”
Rand Memorial Hospital Administrator Sharon
Williams, Senior Assistant Commissioner of
Police Emrick Seymour and BJC Logistics Manager George Smith also
addressed the gathering on Sunday and assured that they have pooled their
resources to ensure that their teams are ready for any eventuality this
weekend.
The local media was also called to a briefing on
Monday where they were informed of the Press Area that will be made available
for them and their international counterparts, equipped with telephone and wifi
capabilities.
Meanwhile, production teams are still busy at work
at the downtown Grand Bahama Cultural Carnival Company Office creating the
costumes for the showdown on Friday, April 17th and Saturday, April 18th and at
Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival Road Fever in New Providence in May.
Gates open at the Cultural Village at 6:00 p.m. on
Friday and the stage is set for a
marathon two-day party, inclusive of all things Bahamian, from authentic foods,
drinks and craft to an All-Star Bahamian studded show that will showcase 17
Bahamian artists in the Music Masters Semi-Finals BJC song competition.
The contestants, which include Grand Bahama’s
Terrell Tynes-Wilson and Georgina Ward-Rigby, will perform their original songs
on one stage over the two nights. There will also be performance from Jay
Mitchell, the legendary T-Connection, along with a
DJ Showcase, dance group dance off, Midnight Rush,
workout sessions, game tournaments, a Kiddie Land, Junkanoo Rush out, fireworks
and Beach Olympics.
Proceeds from the Beach Olympics will go to Special
Olympics of Grand Bahama.
Tickets are on sale at Gizmos & Gadgets, downtown,
Intercity Records in Port Lucaya and HVSOS Neighborhood in Eight Mile Rock.
For information on the all-access weekend
pass call 602.5117.
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