The streets of Freeport will ring out with the sounds of junkanoo during the Labour Day holiday. Providing funding, for major participating groups, is The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited. (Pictured left to right): Father Reginald Demeritte, Majestic Crusaders; Anthony ‘Huck’ Williams, Swingers; Karen Ferguson-Bain, Junkanoo Promotions; Eddie Dames, Deputy Director of Culture, Ministry of Youth, Sports & Culture; Geneva Rutherford, Director of Community Relations-GBPA; Toby Austin, Saxons; Peter Turnquest, president, GBCC; Percy ‘Vola’ Francis; Saxons; and Winston ‘Gus’ Cooper, Valley Boys.
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Freeport, Bahamas
– As
organizers of the ‘Rush For Peace’ Junkanoo parade finalize plans for
their upcoming June events, official sponsor, The Grand Bahama Port
Authority, Limited (GBPA) graciously donated cash seed funds to major
participating groups.
During
a press conference held at GBPA headquarters, leaders of the top two
New Providence and Grand Bahama groups were presented with cheques by
GBPA’s Director of Community Relations, Geneva Rutherford. “Junkanoo is
an integral part of our Bahamian culture, therefore, GBPA is more than
pleased to sponsor the upcoming festivities,” she said. “The theme,
‘Rush For Peace’, is so appropriate in light of today’s social climate.
In harmony with the aim of the organizers and similar to our company’s
mission, it is our wish that this series of events will serve as a
uniting force for the island’s citizenry, and by extension, residents of
The Bahamas as a whole.”
Confirming
official endorsement by the Ministry of Youth, Sports & Culture,
was Deputy Director of Culture, Eddie Dames. Drawing on the
proliferation of violent crimes on a national level, Dames suggested
constructive antidotes. “One of the most powerful forces that we have
found to be effective enough to draw persons together and have society
interwoven toward one magnificent cause is the call of Junkanoo,” he
stated.
According
to Karen Ferguson-Bain, Public Relations, Junkanoo Promotions, “the
object of ‘Rush For Peace’ is to stimulate the economy of Grand Bahama
and to promote peace, love and unity within our nation, while showcasing
some of The Bahamas’ top Junkanoo groups.” A Sunday, May 29 church
service, to be conducted by Kingdom Worship Center, will mark the
beginning, followed by a ‘March For Peace’ parade from downtown to
Independence Park, later that afternoon. A subsequent youth rally
includes featured speakers, a chase and capture exhibition by the Royal
Bahamas Police Force K-9 Unit and a drill display by an all female rifle
platoon.
On
Thursday, June 2, a cultural expo and mix & mingle street party are
planned for the International Bazaar, featuring a special performance
by the Legends Marching Band. The premiere event, the ‘Rush For Peace’
Junkanoo parade, will take place on Friday, June 3. Competing for a
$51,000 cash prize are, the Saxons and Valley Boys out of Nassau, and
the Swingers and Majestic Crusaders from Freeport. A family fun day and
all Bahamian concert on Taino Beach on Saturday, June 4, will bring the
week of festivities to a conclusion.
“As
an official sponsor, we are very excited to see the reintroduction of a
June Junkanoo festival. This falls right in line with what we’re
trying to do, to create a renewed sense of pride and enthusiasm for our
island, which we believe will in turn translate into greater creativity
and economic activity locally,” expressed, Peter Turnquest, president,
The Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce.
He
also encouraged businesses on Grand Bahama to position themselves to
take advantage of the influx of visitors expected for an event of this
magnitude. “We will be on display in terms of our island. Along with
superior customer service, we want to put our best foot forward and show
the rest of The Bahamas and indeed the world, what we have here in
Grand Bahama to offer,” Turnquest added.