Bimini residents are bracing for a grand celebration on that northern island this weekend as plans are being finalized for what is anticipated to be the largest Junkanoo event in it’s history.
The Valley Boys, winners of the “Feel the Rush” Junkanoo parade in Grand Bahama nearly three weeks ago, will show off their victory moves in the first ever “Bimini Celebration Rush.”
The three-day event kicks off Friday, August 25 with a Junkanoo skills competition for Junkanooers throughout the country that evening.
Awards will be given for the best beller, best drummer and best combo.
The excitement then moves into Saturday morning with a Junkanoo workshop at Bimini All Age School for youngsters there at 10:00 a.m., put on by members of the Valley Boys.
Then on that night, the Valley Boys ﾗ the defending champions of the 2005 Boxing Day Parade, the 2006 New Year’s Parade and 2006 Feel the Rush ﾗ will burst on the streets of Bimini in an all-night showdown rush-out.
The group promises 200-members strong and a full-fledged parade.
This year’s “Feel the Rush” theme was Bimini and, according to Peter Adderley, president of Creative Works, the Biminites had desired their own feel of the rush.
In that vein, Creative Works set the wheels in motion with the understanding that such events add cultural and economic life to the islands.
Adderley says they have tackled the challenge of sufficient rooms to accommodate the domestic and international tourist markets.
“We have taken up significant numbers of rooms on the north to accommodate the Valley Boys and there are still a great number of rooms on the north remaining.
What is more important, Adderley says, is the Bimini Sands Resort has come to their rescue and will serve as the official anchor hotel for those travelling to Bimini.
As for air travel arrangements, Western Air out of New Providence, a major sponsor for the event, is putting on extra flights as it did for the parade weeks ago.
Another major sponsor, Regional Air is also adding more flights for those travelling out of Grand Bahama and Abaco.
“So for those persons who are under the impression that Bimini is a small island and there is not sufficient rooms, that’s a myth,” he said.
An official website has been launched for the event at www.biminirush.com to assist those in search of travel and accommodation information.
The Bimini celebration rush is in observance of the island’s rich history, Adderley insists.
“It promotes the development of Junkanoo and offers exposure, particularly for the young members of these groups,” he said, noting that “Bimini Celebration Rush” is intended to be an annual event.
By LEDEDRA MARCHE, Senior Freeport News Reporter
