The Tribune

BAHAMAS Junkanoo Carnival has an exciting new element to it this year.

The Bahamas National Festival Commission, in conjunction with the Ministry of Tourism, has added a sailing regatta component to catapult even more culture to the three-day festival.

The regatta, which includes a boat show, will take place inside Da Cultural Village - the epicentre of Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival.

The regatta, scheduled for 1pm May 5-6, is expected to include 10 sloops. The boat show is set to take place on Friday after the race and all day on Saturday.

The sailing portion will be in honour of the late Frank Hanna and the boat show will be in honour of the late Rev Dr W.G. McPhee.

Regatta consultant Rev Philip McPhee is the son of Dr W.G. McPhee. His father pioneered many aspects of regattas in The Bahamas.

Rev McPhee said adding this aspect of culture to the Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival is highly beneficial.

“It is a great opportunity. Several weeks ago, I heard the Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival was not really appealing to the Bahamian flavour and the money was being spent on foreign entities,” he said.

“I think it is going to be one of the greatest events that happened in Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival. Frank Hanna also gave a lot to regattas. I want to encourage Bahamians to come out and support everything that is truly Bahamian. It is the only cultural sporting Bahamian event that we can call ours. It does not happen like this anywhere in the world. It cannot be said that Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival does not have anything Bahamian in it.”

Chairman of the BNFC, Roscoe Dames said this is just another way to promote Bahamian culture to the world.

“While Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival is largely a celebration of our music, it is also a grand celebration of our culture. Regattas are a major celebration of culture in the country and it should be celebrated.

“This adds a dynamic feature to the Cultural Village and we are excited that we will celebrate two men who gave so much to this cultural phenomenon while celebrating Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival,” he said.    

Activities inside Da Cultural Village are free from noon to 6pm daily - Thursday to Saturday.

To complement the sailing regatta and boat show there will also be a Junkanoo workshop and craft demonstration, Junkanoo rush outs and straw weaving exhibitions inside Da Cultural Village.

Tickets to the evening concerts are currently on sale at all Cash and Go locations, starting at $15.