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.
“This Grand Bahama weekend is the official start to
the Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival 2015 season,” said Roscoe Dames, C.E.O of
the Bahamas National Festival Commission. “The island’s attractions and
culture will be displayed on a never-before-seen platform, highlighting
all things Bahamian in a manner that everyone in The Bahamas can be
proud of.”
The
BJC committee met at Worker’s House in Grand Bahama over the weekend
with team leaders and their workers, vendors, volunteers,
Junkanoos,fitness instructors,artists,DJs and local performers to
finalize plans for the Taino Beach site, which is being transformed into
a Cultural Village.
Presently,
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.
Ginger
Moxey, BNFC consultant, thanked all in attendance for believing in
Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival and coming on board 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 performances 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.
