The Ministry of Tourism kicked off its marketing campaign over the weekend for the upcoming Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival, as it works to improve on last year's visitor arrival numbers during the inaugural event. The ministry's marketing efforts are separate from the Bahamas National Festival Commission's (BNFC) campaign, which has yet to officially begin, The Nassau Guardian understands.

The ministry promoted carnival at the Travel and Adventure Show at the Washington Convention Center. The show attracted thousands of travelers from across the world. Aruba, Mexico, Iran and Zimbabwe were among scores of destinations featured.

While the ministry is not directly responsible for marketing the event, Bahamas Tourist Office Area Manager Garbrielle Archer said it's important to use multiple avenues to get the word out.

Singer Kiara Sherman, Miss Bahamas Universe 2009, performed during the travel show and at one point donned a carnival costume along with two other models.

"The crowd really enjoyed Kiara Sherman's performance," Archer said. "After the performance, a lot of people came by the booth and inquired about when Junkanoo carnival was taking place in The Bahamas. So hopefully we have a good [number] of people [who] come from this area into Nassau and Grand Bahama for carnival."

Of the estimated 115,000 people who attended the carnival events last year, BNFC Chairman Paul Major said approximately 900 of them were visitors.

Last July, Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe said ineffective marketing was one of the reasons that so few visitors attended. But he expressed hope last week that the numbers would improve.

Close to 1,000 people visited The Bahamas' booth on Saturday as officials not only promoted carnival, but the country in general and the recently launched direct flight service from Washington, DC, to New Providence, Archer said. Archer estimated that about 30 percent of the inquiries will translate into actual business for The Bahamas.

Bahamas Consul General to Washington, D.C. Paulette Zonicle, who assisted with the promotions on Saturday, said work is being done to take Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival to "a new level".

"This is one of the largest travel shows within this region," she said. "It generates a lot of response."

Zonicle said promotional activity is a part of an ongoing project.

"That's very, very important," she added. "This is the first time we are promoting it in this area. We believe that we are going to have a great grouping from the metro area coming to The Bahamas. The interest level is very high."

Two Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival models were posted at The Bahamas' booth. Lines of people gathered to take pictures with them.

Zonicle said the decision to bring them from The Bahamas was a good investment.

"The dancers that are here really put it on the world stage because, remember last year was really an introduction and this year, it's really going to another level, so we are really excited about that," she said.

Last year, the BNFC didn't announce a headliner until a few weeks before carnival. The late decision impacted the commission's ability to effectively market the show. It's still unclear who will headline this year's event.

Wilchcombe addressed the importance of marketing carnival last week.

"We want to make sure that our marketing is in place and that we have all the marketing tools," he said. "All the programs have already been developed and we are working with the various groups to ensure their participation.

"The meetings I have had so far tell me that there are those who wish to move... faster, but sometimes it is best to move methodically to ensure that we get all our things done more properly. But I expect things to really get heated up over the next couple of weeks. We are going to get the message out and make sure that it's even greater than last year."

Carnival is set to take place on April 14 to 16 in Grand Bahama and May 5 to 7 in New Providence.

Nearly 1,000 people visited The Bahamas' booth on Saturday at the Travel and Adventure Show in Washington, D.C. as officials not only promoted carnival, but the country in general and the recently launched direct flight service from Washington, D.C. to New Providence. [Photos: Ministry of Tourism]

Prime Minister Perry Christie pledges to match dollars raised for historic site restoration and assistance during opening remarks at the first Historic Bahamas Foundation Fair, Trinkets and Treasures, at Collins House February 6. Pictured along with the Prime Minister l-r, Foundation Chairman Owen Bethel, Minister of Investments, Office of the Prime Minister, Acting Commander Royal Bahamas Defense Force Tellis Bethel, Fair Chair and Foundation Director Diane Phillips.

In an initial effort to link the past with the future, goods with goodwill, the first Historic Bahamas Foundation Fair drew hundreds to the grounds of Collins House February 6, raising nearly $15,000 with proceeds to various charities and restoration of stone steps at an historic site, The Hermitage in Cat Island.

“The Hermitage on Cat Island is one of the many manifestations of our rich history,” said Prime Minister Perry Christie who officially opened the event. “It is critically important that the Government of The Bahamas and NGOs like the Historic Bahamas Foundation work closely together to share that history, to preserve and to ensure that our young people appreciate their heritage and honour it.”

Historic Charles Towne founder Betsy Dingman chats with former American Embassy Charge d’Affaires John Ford in a booth she created to resemble an upscale rummage sale of fine furniture, books, artwork and accessories. Funds raised by that booth will be used for attractive trash cans along Delancey and neighbouring streets.

The Fair, called Trinkets & Treasures, was originally planned for November with proceeds to benefit participating organizations. A portion was to be set aside for modest repairs for Collins House.

“When Hurricane Joaquin hit The Bahamas, we quickly altered date and beneficiary,” said Owen Bethel, Foundation Chairman. The fair was postponed until February and the new goal was much more modest – restoring stone steps leading to The Hermitage on Mt. Alvernia, the highest point in The Bahamas at 206 feet above sea level.

Monty Knowles paint a Junkanoo nymph 2

The one thing that remained the same was location for the fair and for many, it was the first time they had attended an event on the estate that once stretched from Shirley Street all the way to Wulff Road.

As the Prime Minister strolled the grounds viewing everything from books to antique bicycles, listening to the sounds of Royal Bahamas Defense Force Rangers Band and the moving voices of Ambassador Chorale, it was hard not to feel the burden of the building originally set to benefit from proceeds. Collins House, built by prominent businessman and politician Ralph Collins shortly after the hurricane of 1929 destroyed the original house, the estate was purchased in 1950 by St. Andrews School. A few decades later, the government purchased it, further subdividing grand ballrooms and dining areas into small cubicles and offices to house the Ministry of Education.

Popcorn, burgers and a bouncing castle added to the atmosphere of the Trinkets & Treasures Fair but for these three friends just hanging out together on a Saturday afternoon while folks shopped to support charities was good enough.

On this Saturday, as the bands played, voices rang out, and the aroma of burgers from the Rotary van drove appetites, as artist Monty Knowles body-painted a young woman, transforming her into a Junkanoo Nymph, Collins House stood as an eerie backdrop, a reminder of history ignored, proud and begging all rolled into one. Its bones were strong, its façade fading, the glamour of its original beauty and classic lines competing against the reality of its recent neglect.

But even the need for the setting’s restoration could not dampen the spirit of the fair. And in the end, the funds raised will benefit causes as diverse as buying trash cans for Delancey Street (Historic Charles Towne) and supplying teachers for students with special needs at Gambier Primary and Adelaide (Blairwood Academy).

The online auction at auction.bahamaslocal.com will continue until midnight February 12.   

Members of the Royal Bahamas Defense Force Rangers band marched and played at the Historic Bahamas Fair, Trinkets & Treasures, February 6.

Young Ranger band member gets words of encouragement from Prime Minister Perry Christie during a drill at the Historic Bahamas Foundation Fair, Trinkets & Treasures, February 6.

The Bahamas National Festival Commission (BNFC) is pleased to announce the official dates for the 2016 and 2017 Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival. Intense planning is underway for the 2016 event, which is intended to be even better than the inaugural event.

The Grand Bahama Carnival Kick Off is scheduled for April 15-16, 2016 at Taino Beach, Grand Bahama, and the main event for May 5-7, 2016 at Da Cultural Village in Nassau. The BNFC has made a concerted effort to implement lessons learned from the inaugural year in order to improve the overall event experience, strengthen the marketing, generate greater economic impact for small businesses, increase the value to sponsors, attract international visitor participation and most importantly, contain the costs.

Da Cultural Village has been redesigned; the overall brand positioning of the event has been rationalized; and new stakeholders have been included. The intent this year is to deliver an amazing event that is simultaneously a world class music festival, an interactive cultural experience and an unforgettable street party. Focusing on the festival's three distinct aspects, the BNFC is committed to building a uniquely Bahamian carnival that delivers the perfect dose of music, culture and vibes to its thousands of followers.

Pegging the dates to the second weekend in April and the first full weekend in May, respectively, the dates have been set for 2017 and beyond: The Grand Bahama Carnival Kick Off will take place on April 14-15, 2017 at Taino Beach, Grand Bahama, and the main event on May 4-6, 2017 at Da Cultural Village in Nassau.

The BNFC's first major initiative is launching the Music Masters Song Competition this week. However, in the coming weeks and months, the BNFC is also planning an official launch event, along with scheduled announcements of the Bahamian artists set to perform and other featured artists from around the region, and other promotional initiatives. Youth Culture Fest (April 9) is included in the lineup of events again this year, as well as Junkamania, the concert of Junkanoo orchestras inside Da Cultural Village. The Road Fever street party will take place on Saturday, May 7. Registered companies have already staged costume launch parties and are accepting costume orders.

The inaugural Junkanoo Carnival created employment for some 7,000 Bahamians, including 1,169 Bahamian entertainers, who performed at the main events as well as promotional events leading up to the carnival. In Grand Bahama, 30,000 patrons turned out for the kick-off event, while 85,000 patrons attended the three-day event in Nassau. The event cost the government about $11 million while generating $6.6 million in estimated tax revenue. Junkanoo Carnival was also responsible for bringing about a proliferation of entrepreneurial activity in the entertainment industry.

Paul Major, BNFC chairman, said, "Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival is going to grow from strength to strength each year because we are going to work smarter and harder to deliver value for the Bahamian people. We are aware of what is happening in our country in terms of the social and economic environment, and what is happening around the world in the entertainment and cultural arena. Our work certainly does not take place in a vacuum, but we remain firm in our knowledge that investing in the cultural industries is the right long-term plan to help advance our economic and cultural development.

He continued, "Last year, Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival established itself as a wholesome event with the perfect dose of music, culture and vibes. Now that the 2016 and 2017 dates are firmly cemented, we are going to work to deliver an even better experience along those lines this year and beyond."

THERE’S a new sound about to hit the streets of the capital complete with EMS personnel - here comes the siren and flashing lights of the ‘Jambulance’ and its Emergency Musical Services.

Four of the 100Jamz on-air personalities - JJ, The Thunderman (aka Jatonde), Dawsome and DJ Xcitement - climbed aboard the new Jambulance when it was delivered to Radio House on Shirley Street yesterday ready to broadcast music and shows to party lovers at events around Nassau.

The Jambulance will make its debut at Super Bowl parties around Nassau on Sunday. “Stay tuned to 100Jamz to find out where the Jamz crew will be coming to the rescue with giveaways and Emergency Musical Services to liven up your party!” JJ told The Tribune.

From left, Jatonde the Thunderman, Dawesome, JJ and DJ Xcitement from 100JAMZ with the new Jambulance, which is set to bring “Emergency Musical Services” to Nassau, starting on Super Bowl Sunday. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff