FREEPORT, G.B. – Come July 10th The Bahamas will observe its 37th anniversary as an independent nation and on Grand Bahama Island every effort is being made to sensitize Bahamians on this most important part of the nation's history.
Two weeks ago, the Honourable Neko C. Grant, Minister for Works and Transport, who also has responsibilities for Grand Bahama Island introduced the Grand Bahama Independence Committee to the Bahamian public, noting that there are a number of new faces on the committee, designed to bring fresh ideas and get people excited about the celebration.
While introducing the Committee, headed by City of Freeport Administrator Don Cornish, Mr. Grant, who is the Member of Parliament for Lucaya Constituency on Grand Bahama, assured residents that the 2010 celebrations promises to be the best ever and that the Committee had already drafted an exciting program.
He was also keen on pointing out the theme for the 2010 Independence Celebration, “Celebrating Independence Through The Eyes Of Our Youths,” and stressed that every effort will be made to ensure young people's participation in the celebrations.
The Grand Bahama native also called on the Committee to ensure that persons from Sweetings Cay in the east to West End build some enthusiasm for the event. To that end both West Grand Bahama District Council and the East Grand Bahama Local Government District Council are involved in the planning of the celebrations.
On Tuesday, June 22, a number of youth leaders from throughout Grand Bahama joined committee chairman, Mr. Cornish, and cultural affairs and entertainment chairman Kevin Tomlinson at encouraging Bahamians young and old to take part in the many activities planned, during a press conference at the Office of The Prime Minister.
Among those lending support were Jonathon Rigby of the Sea Grape Youth and Sports Association; Julian Laing of St. Matthew's Baptist Church in High Rock; Bruce Russell, Assistant Youth Pastor at Calvary Temple Church; Ms Peandra Knowles, Super Model of The Bahamas and Ms Tempestt Stubbs, the reigning Miss Grand Bahama.
While encouraging persons to take part in the overall celebrations the young persons was particularly keen on drumming up support for the Fit Nation Fun Run Walk and the Youth Rally which kicks off a week of Independence activities beginning Saturday July 3, 2010.
In her remarks, Miss Grand Bahama pointed out that Independence celebrations are enticing to all Bahamians, especially the youths.
“Our youths today must gain the importance of our independence and this year we are setting the foundation,” she stated.
Directing attention to the theme for the celebrations, she said that in Grand Bahama young people have the opportunity to participate and engage themselves in all the activities planned from July 2 to July 10.
Bruce Russell, Assistant Pastor at Calvary Temple, noted that the Youth Explosion (rally) which takes place after the Fun Walk at the Tori Gate in the International Bazaar promises to be a fun time.
He said invitations were sent out to all the churches “and we are really hoping that we get a good turnout from all of the youth groups. I hope that everybody turns out. This is a time when we as young people can come together and really show that we are a nation under God, a Christian nation and to let God’s glory shine and just to express our love for God.
“I believe that this is something that is very important, that as young people we need to come together and make a stand to let this island and let the country and the world know, that they throwing us away, but we are going to stand strong and let them know we are here and we are not going to give up and we are not going to the dogs,” he said.
The island-wide Independence Celebrations begins July 2, which is designated National Pride Day, where the Committee is calling on businesses to position the Bahamian Flag at their businesses and homes and decorate the building in the colours of the flag.
Likewise this is also T-Shirt Day and residents are being invited to wear their Bahamian Independence T-Shirt on that day.
On Saturday, July 3, the Fit Nation Fun Walk event will begin at 7:00a.m. at the Tori Gate in the International Bazaar onto the Justice Centre round-about and back to the Tori Gate. Then at 10:00a.m. is the Youth Explosion at the Tori Gate with the special guests being the Minister of Youth Sports and Culture.
Also on Saturday, July 3 a Family Fun Day is planned for St. Stephen’s Park in Eight Mile Rock, starting a 6:00p.m..
Then beginning at 7:30p.m., there will be the Artistic Expression “Voices” at the Rand Nature Centre, and the special guests there will be the Honourable Brent Symonette, Deputy Prime Minister and Mrs. Symonette.
On Sunday, July 4 there will be an Ecumenical Church Service at Central Baptist Church, Eight Mile Rock beginning at 3:00p.m..
On Monday, July 5 is the One God, One People, One Bahamas Concert to be held at the Freeport Bible Church. This is a bow tie affair and is being held under the patronage of Their Excellencies, the Governor General, Sir Arthur Foulkes and Lady Foulkes.
On Tuesday, July 6 there will be a “Bahamian Theatre” at Count Basie Square in Port Lucaya beginning at 8:00 p.m..
On Wednesday, July 7 there will be a Pre-Independence Flag Raising and Reception at Sweeting’s Cay beginning at 3:00p.m.. A similar event is being planned for the High Rock community.
On Thursday, July 8 the Ministry of Tourism continues with its Summer Junkanoo Festival at Taino Beach.
On Friday, July 9 beginning at 8:00p.m., a special Flag Raising Ceremony/Cultural Extravaganza, Police Parade and Fireworks will take place at the Independence Park.
On Saturday, July 10 a Float Parade will take place beginning at 10:00 in the morning from the YMCA on to Mall at ending at the Independence Park where an all Day Family Fun Day is planned.
YOUTH INVOLVEMENT – Young persons are being encouraged to take an active part in this year’s Independence Celebrations. Pictured lending support during a press conference at the Office of The Prime Minister are: Jonathon Rigby, Sea Grape Youth and Sports Association; Ms Peandra Knowles, Super Model of The Bahamas; Ms Tempestt Stubbs, Miss Grand Bahama; Don Cornish, Chairman G.B. Independence Committee; Kevin Tomlinson, Chairman Cultural Affairs and Entertainment Committee; Bruce Russell, Assistant Youth Pastor, Calvary Temple; and Julian Laing of St, Matthew’s Baptist Church in High Rock.
