Peter Adderley, public relations director for C-Cube Seating Limited [facilitators of the bleacher seating for Junkanoo parades in Nassau], said in an interview with the press yesterday that they are excited and are gearing up for the parade, which will take place on Sunday August 6 in downtown Grand Bahama.
"The event will feature the top three finishers of the New Year's Day parade on Bay Street, which are The Valley Boys, One Family and the Saxons. They will compete against a Grand Bahama all-star group and they will be vying for a 90,000 dollar cash prize," Mr Adderley said.
He added that last year, in its pilot run, the event attracted over 20,000 people and this year more are expected.
"We have gotten a good response from the family of islands, New Providence and Grand Bahama, and we have also done some significant marketing in the South Florida area."
Mr Adderley said that last year's event impacted the economy of Grand Bahama significantly with an over-booking of flights. Bahamas Air and private airlines had to make extra flights and hotels were full.
"More than an impact on the economy, the event was also able to serve as a cultural uplifting for Grand Bahama."
He believes Feel The Rush is the biggest cultural event on the island.
In 2005 the theme of the parade was 'Grand Bahama' because of the 50th Anniversary of the Grand Bahama Port Authority. This year's theme is 'Bimini,' in honour of that island.
Mr Adderley said members of each group were taken to Bimini so they could develop an appreciation for the natural, native beauty of the island and its historic setting.
"Another reason we went to Bimini had much to do with the 101 Chalks crash. We felt that we could uplift the spirits of Biminites in this way. And more importantly because the world placed focus on Bimini for this tragic reason, we wanted to make it clear that Bimini deserves this attention by virtue of its history and its present hospitable state."
He wanted to put rumours to rest concerning The Valley Boys not participating in the Feel The Rush parade due to an internal conflict earlier this year.
He said all three groups confirmed they would attend with a minimum of 200 members each.
By: VIRAJ PERPALL, The Nassau Guardian
