With only one day left before The Bahamas stages yet another inaugural world class event, ‘The Grand Life’ team based in Freeport, Grand Bahama, has already begun making its way into New Providence where all roads now lead for the highly anticipated Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival.
The momentum has been building for months to what is touted to be the largest cultural street festival in the country to date, come May 7-9, 2015.
Hot on the heels of a successful kick-off weekend in Grand Bahama, the nation’s second city, on April 17 and 18, which drew more than 30,000 spectators to Taino Beach, organizers are preparing for up to 100,000 residents and visitors during the three-day celebration.
Participants will have an opportunity to become immersed in Bahamian cuisine, culture shows, arts and crafts, street parades and Rake ‘n’ Scrape music.
The Grand Life team has been busy in the production house over the past weeks creating costumes for the big event.
Now with Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival only days away, the excitement is in the air as the team, over 200-strong, inclusive of The Grand Life models, dancers, Junkanooers, makes ready to give the rest of the world a taste of ‘The Grand Life’.
Grand Bahama residents and visitors alike also witnessed a spectacular Music Masters Semi-finalist competition where 17 talented Bahamian artists went head-to-head on one stage to vie for the top 10 spots.
The finalists Colyn with his two songs – Carnival is Here and Jump & Carry On; Georgina Ward-Rigby with In the Carnival; Ian McQuay with Going Home; Ericka ‘Lady E’ Symonette- with My Islands in the Sun; Sammi Starr with Jump in the Line; Chris ‘ Sketch’ Carey with Wine like a Champion; Bodine Johnson with All Day, All Night; Sonovia Pierre with Junkanoo Carnival Party and Tyrone Platti Dread with Junkanoo Rock now have chance to win $20,000 will perform at Music Masters in Nassau on May 8.
“Grand Bahama showed up in a big way for the historical kick-off event a few weeks ago and I have every confidence that we will make an impressive showing when Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival takes centre stage later this week,” said Ginger Moxey, Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival Grand Bahama event organizer.
“We are thrilled to see how wonderfully Grand Bahamians have come together to support the group’s efforts and embrace this viable opportunity for our island, and the country.”
Along with the IAAF World Relays, which was staged for the second year in Nassau over the weekend, Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival is also expected to position The Bahamas’ rich culture at a new level on the world stage and inject a steady economic boost to the country.
It all starts on Thursday, May 7 with JunkaMania – the biggest Junkanoo stage in the world – showcasing Junkanoo music and other Junkanoo-inspired folk forms.
The finals of the Music Masters song competition will take place on Friday, May 8, followed by Midnight Rush, and Saturday, May 9 will bring the highly anticipated ‘Road Fever’ parade, where ‘The Grand Life’ Group will participate in a close-out concert.
