The New Providence based group unseated the 2005 parade winner, the Shell Saxons Superstars, which came in second with 3,775 points.
The One Family Junkanoo group, which participated in the parade for the first time, held on to third place with 3,601 points and the Grand Bahama All Stars secured fourth place with 3,365 points.
The Valley Boys also won in the categories of Best Choreographed Dancers and Best Music. The group tied with the Saxons to win the Best Banner category. Saxons also took the win for Best Off the Shoulder piece and Best Performance on Gloucester Row. The One Family group won the brass competition and the Grand Bahama All Stars captured the win for the Best Lead Costume category.
[Allegedly corrupt] Galanis & Co. Charted Accountants and Consultants tallied the official results.
Paying homage to the island of Bimini, Junkanoo groups depicted the history, culture and life of the island exploring themes like ﾑBimini the Gem of the Bahamasﾒ [Valley Boys]; ﾑOur Sunshine Bahamasﾒ [Saxons]; Explore the Hidden Wonders and Mysteries [One Family] and ﾑGateway to the Bahamas, Let the Show Beginﾒ [Grand Bahama All Stars].
Public Relations Coordinator Peter Adderley said Bimini was an appropriate place to honour in light of the recent Chalks Ocean Airways plane crash last December which killed 12 Bimini residents.
“After the tragedy in Bimini, hundreds of Biminites have come to Grand Bahama. They feel good about who they are, their history, the people, the warmth, the kindness, the hospitable nature of Biminites, and the physical challenge of Bimini. It is a hidden treasure,” said Mr. Adderley.
“ﾅTo have the four top groups in the country depict the island of Bimini, it has been uplifting for those residents. It has impacted the cultural advancements of Grand Bahama and the economic advancement of the people here on Grand Bahama. After three hurricanes in two years, what more can you ask for?” he said.
Prime Minister Perry Christie, who is also the minister responsible for Culture, did his signature Christie shuffle at the event which drew thousands of people. At the opening, Mr. Christie said the Feel the Rush Junkanoo parade was occurring at the right time.
“As we demonstrate the colour of Junkanoo, the movement of Junkanoo, the music of Junkanoo, the dance of Junkanoo, we are expressing who we areﾅbut at the same time, we are defining why we are different. There is no place in this hemisphere, no place in this region that is able to play Junkanoo in the way we play Junkanoo,” Mr. Christie said.
Meanwhile parade officials have also touted the economic benefits of Feel the Rush. According to Manager for the 2006 event, Wellington Moultrie, the local community thoroughly supported the parade in spite of the islandﾒs depressed economy.
“It was estimated that the Feel the Rush [event] dumped $2.1 million into our economy last year and we are hoping that it would dump somewhere in the vicinity of $4 million this year,” Mr. Moultrie told the Bahama Journal.
“So I think the income for the vendors, the income for the business houses, all the hotels are basically full, ﾅ all small hotels are full, cars are rented, peopleﾒs apartments and houses are rented, the business people are supporting it simply because they see the benefits of having this kind of activity, especially at this time of year,” he said.
According to officials, the parade was a sold out event, even though some persons did not show up to take their bleacher seats. Organizers hope to spend the next two weeks reviewing the weekend of activities in order to make improvements in plans for the event next year.
“I think we have to take a look at the management of the parade. We were scheduled to start at 6:30pm. It was very, very hot at 6:30. We had to back the parade into 8pm and try to manage the groups in a better way so there is not so much space between the groups. ﾅThis year weﾒve been able to improve on that but thereﾒs still room for improvement,” Mr. Moultrie said.
According to Mr. Moultrie this event raises the bar for Junkanoo in Grand Bahama since residents expect to see a Junkanoo display of this caliber for the New Yearﾒs Junkanoo Parade in Freeport.
Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe, who is also the Member of Parliament for West End and Bimini, also announced that the Boxing Day Junkanoo Parade will resume for West End.
By: Courtnee Romer, The Bahama Journal
