The Junkanoo extravaganza, which will feature major Junkanoo groups from New Providence and Grand Bahama, has been extended to include a weekend of activities.
Peter Adderley, the eventﾒs public relations coordinator, said organizers hope not only to provide an economic advantage, but to hold an annual parade that will make the popular Junkanoo festival a year-round event.
Mr. Adderley added that an additional parade held in the summer will offer visitors more flexibility and give them one more opportunity to view the parade.
Tourism officials, who revamped the favourite summer pastime Junkanoo Summer Festival in Grand Bahama, said they are pleased that Feel The Rush “will be a fitting end to nine weeks of cultural celebration” in Grand Bahama.
Organizers will kick off activities during the extended Feel The Rush celebrations with an all-evening affair planned for the settlement of West End on Friday, August 4.
Activities will culminate in an all-night beach party scheduled for Taino Beach on August Monday, July 7, where the winners of the parade will be announced.
Feel The Rush sponsors include the Bahamas Telecommunications Company, Kalik, Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board and The Ministry of Tourism, the Ginn Company, and The Grand Bahama Port Authority.
Port Chairman Hannes Babak said, “The Grand Bahama Port Authority always supported Junkanoo, as I did on a personal level far before I was appointed. It is an important part of the Bahamian culture and it is a great chance for us to do something for the economy of Freeport.”
Mr. Babak added that 15,000 to 20,000 people are expected to attend the event, which should benefit many licensees of the Port.
The top three finishers of the New Yearﾒs Day parade have been invited to participate in the Junkanoo rush-out along with a Grand Bahama all star group.
Representatives from the Junkanoo groups invited from New Providence, including the Saxons, Valley Boys, and One Family, were in Grand Bahama recently to speak about the growing excitement the event is creating in the capital.
Peter Gilcud, chairman of the Saxons, who are the defending champions of the Feel The Rush parade, told reporters that this year will be a parade to remember.
“This year weﾒre finding it very interesting and challenging. The theme for this parade is ﾑBimini the Gateway to The Bahamasﾒ. We visited Bimini along with the other group members and officers and we find it very exciting.”
Mr. Gilcud said he was pleased with “the tremendous opportunity to come to Freeport once again and to bring the best in Junkanoo while participating in a parade like youﾒve never seen before.”
Trevor Sherman, a Valley Boys group marshal and a member of its management team, said the parade will give groups the opportunity to demonstrate top class showmanship.
“I see a lot of excitement,” Mr. Sherman said. “In Nassau everybody is waiting with great anticipation to come to Freeport and to assist in the rejuvenation of its economy and to show the people in Freeport what top class, A-1 performance in Junkanoo is all about.”
One Family will be appearing for the first time on the streets of Grand Bahama. Team member, Trevor Greene, said despite being the “rookies”, the group will bring fierce competition.
At least 200 people are expected to make up the groups out of New Providence, although group members say they expect many more to participate.
Junkanooers will compete for over $90,000 in cash prizes. The Feel The Rush Junkanoo parade is scheduled for Sunday, August 6 at 7pm in downtown Grand Bahama.
By: Daphne McIntosh, The Bahama Journal
