The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

EXECUTIVES of Colours Entertainment and Junkanoo Organisation said they believe that Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival will provide seasoned Junkanoo groups with an opportunity to generate major income ahead of holiday parades while providing fans with “an opportunity to get off the bleachers and into the lines”.

Christian Justilien, leader and executive member of Colours, said the organisation decided to get involved with the festival after considering all the possibilities that could arise from the inaugural event. His group has won 10 consecutive parades in the B-category in Junkanoo parades.

Mr Justilien said a number of cultural figures and groups have allowed the “muddied waters” surrounding carnival to dilute the possibilities that could come out of the festival.

He added that his group approached the discussion from a business standpoint, understanding that it takes time for any new business to “turn a profit.”

“Any business that you go into would normally take two to three years to turn a profit, this year we are working to launch our product because we see the potential in this venture,” said Mr Justilien. “If we can start now, small, and show what our product can look like, we can impress our fans.

“I believe that everyone can benefit from this if they remove the narrow-mindedness, I believe that the spirit of this event was designed to help everyone.

“Do the math, if you produce 200-300 costumes and sold them at $200 each, then you are talking business. That would mean you have raised a good amount of money that could help propel your group into the holiday parades. We want everyone in our group to get a piece of the pie.:

According to the musician, the group is hoping that in the years to come Junkanoo groups have opportunities to become self-sufficient through the festival. He added that the Colours organisation sees the festival as a lot more than an opportunity to have a good time, but a way to develop and market the culture of The Bahamas.

“We want to make this a Bahamian thing, our sole intention for getting into this festival was to have a Bahamian component that was strong and resolute.”

His group has launched three lines of costumes, each of which highlights one element of the group’s theme.

The group is offering Road Fever packages valued between $150 to $200. The packages include a Junkanoo Carnival costume, six drinks, a Bahamian style lunch and a “true Bahamian Junkanoo experience”.

“We have designed costumes that show the feel of the sun, sand and sea of The Bahamas, we involved a lot of local flavours, pink sands and blue waters. We have been supporting indigenous markets so our costumes have the look and feel of Junkanoo. “We aren’t trying to mimic what people would see if they went to Rio, Trinidad or any of the major festivals around the world, we want to display what Bahamian culture is,” Mr Justilien said.

Ivoine Ingraham, executive member of Colours, added that the group has a good reputation on Bay Street. He said a lot of spectators have now become true fans, and through the Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival now have the opportunity to get involved.

“This is the perfect time for persons to jump in the line and enjoy the experience we deliver on Bay Street and be a part of it. We love our culture and we want to promote it, this is the best way to do it. Our plan is to steer carnival back on a more Bahamian line,” he said.

The inaugural festival will take place over three days, from May 7.

• For more on Carnival, see today’s Weekend section.