Well, the reviews are in. Bahamas Masqueraders did not disappoint.

The carnival band unveiled its suite of diverse costumes for the 2023 Bahamas Carnival last week - and let's just say there is no shortage of bling.

Held at one of the theaters at Fusion Superplex, the unconventional launch offered viewers comfortable seating and lots of space. While the launch lacked some of the hype and excitement that one expects at a traditional launch, the after-party made up for that.

But, let me get to the costumes.

First up, was the "Jouvert" section.

Anyone who has ever been to jouvert knows that while you may go in looking pristine, by the time jouvert is done, you will be covered with every color of paint there is. It was no surprise then that the jouvert section, designed by Jamal Moss, was a beautiful kaleidoscope of colors that included shades of blue, yellow, pink, orange, green and white.

From the demure to the risqué, jouvert's bodywear options offer something for just about everyone.

"Bacchanal", sponsored by BTC, was the second section unveiled. Royal blue is the base color in this section. Highlighted by vibrant pinks and fluorescent green, and lots and lots of jewels, this section shines from afar and up close.

For those looking to disguise their identities a bit, the frontline section has a bedazzled horned face mask option that adds a mythical vibe to the overall look. As the word bacchanal suggests unruly behavior, that mask may be just the thing for masqueraders in this section.

"We Limin'" was the third section to be revealed.

In keeping with its name, the costumes are lime and refreshing. The royal blue feathers and jewels offer a nice contrast. The bodywear, made with a mesh material and spandex, brings an added twist to the costumes.

The final section to be unveiled was, "In Di Mas".

A unique mix of bronze, blue and burgundy, these costumes were probably the most unexpected. Accustomed to brightly colored costumes, this section adds to Masqueraders' growing repertoire.

From the barely there to more full-bodied options, one common theme all of the bodywear have in this section is the vast amount of jewels. A jeweled, wide-brimmed hat and bronze cape are also options for those looking to add some drama on the road.

Which section is your favorite? I'm still trying to decide on mine.

Kindergarten, primary, junior and high school students converged on Pioneers Way in downtown Freeport, commonly referred to as "The Boulevard", for the 2023 Junior Junkanoo Parade on Thursday evening.

Youngsters from 24 schools dressed in artistically designed and colorfully decorated costumes, danced to the beat of drums, blaring of horns and shaking of cowbells, bringing their various themes to life, while enthusiastic parents and other supporters screamed their encouragement from the sidelines.

It had been two years since the parade was held, and according to The Beacon School Junkanoo Group Coordinator Sheianna Forbes, this year's event was invigorating.

"The children were super excited," Forbes said.

"They had an amazing time, so much so that even when we had finished the march, they didn't want to stop. We spent another 10 minutes after the parade just having fun and dancing."

Forbes said it was a good feeling being back on the road.

"We really missed it," she said.

While there were some challenges to overcome, including mustering up sponsorship, Forbes rated the participation of her 70 students a success.

"It was a challenge preparing for Junkanoo, but we pulled it off," she said.

"A lot of our instruments were outsourced ... I did get a few items from the Swingers and Showtime Junkanoo groups.

"It's a lot of work, it takes a lot of dedication and it's something you really have to have a passion for, because there are so many different variables that go into making the parade a success and any little thing can throw it off."

Forbes said the effort was worth it.

District Superintendent for Grand Bahama, Bimini and the Cays Ivan Butler was very pleased with the performances.

Butler expressed excitement that 15 of the 24 groups were from government schools.

"The public schools are very active and involved in this year's Junkanoo parade," he said.

Butler commended the principals, coaches, parents and volunteers who assisted with preparation for the parade.

"Everyone [who] was a part of the process to get the students here and for making this a success is to be applauded," he said.

Only two schools performed in the secondary division: Jack Hayward and St. George's Senior High schools.

Four schools made up the all-age division - The Beacon School, Bishop Michael Eldon School, St. Paul's Methodist College and Sunland Baptist Academy.

Jack Hayward Junior High was the lone participant in the junior high division.

There were nine schools in the primary division - Hampton Academy II, Freeport Primary, Martin Town, Lewis Yard, Hugh Campbell, Walter Parker, Bartlett Hill, Maurice Moore and Wilbur S. Outten Christian Academy.

In the preschool division, there were eight schools - Martin Town, Wilbur S. Outten Christian Academy, Growing Years, National Academy, Letty's Paradise, Freeport Primary, Rising Stars Christian Academy and Hampton Academy I.

"I get emotional when I see the little ones ... they have the rhythm already, so you know we are born with it," said veteran educator Lavender Roberts.

Having been a part of Junkanoo for the past 40 years, Roberts added, "I have seen it grow in a very positive way, more recognized by the government, the community at large, and now the schools.

"I am so happy to see it getting stronger. My only wish is that it be a part of our curriculum, because it's our culture. Before I die, I would like to see it stamped in the books because it covers so many avenues - history, design, artistic talent and skills."

Recalling her younger days on New Providence before relocating to Grand Bahama, Roberts said she was a Valley Girl.

"'Gus' Cooper used to parade through my area and I think that is how I got Junkanoo in my blood."

Winston "Gus" Cooper was one of the founding members of the Valley Boys Junkanoo Group. He died in 2014.

"When I came to Grand Bahama, I didn't see that movement and sound in our young people, so when I joined Sunland Academy as a teacher in 1982, I told the students we have to do this," she said.

"The students and parents got involved because it's a community event and look what we have here today."

This year, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture decided that the parade would be judged in just four categories - best banner, best music, best choreography and best overall group performance. Therefore, there was no overall divisional winner, only top-place finishers in each category.

No penalties were levied in the 2023 parade; however, the rules from 2019 will be reinstated in the 2024 parade.

The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture has advised that the 2023 Grand Bahama Junior Junkanoo Parade which was scheduled for Saturday, February 11, 2023 has been postponed to Thursday, February 16, 2023, due to impending inclement weather.

After a three-year hiatus, 24 schools, from preschool to senior high, are set to participate in the highly-anticipated cultural event.

Cultural Affairs Officer in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, Monique Leary explained and has advised that all tickets sold for the parade will be honoured on the new date and asked the community to come out and support the youth of the nation.

“They have been preparing and working extremely hard to put on a wonderful presentation for the community of Grand Bahama. So we just want to say to the public that the parade is still on and we hope to get the same support,” she said.

Chief Superintendent Brian Rolle, Second officer in Charge of the Grand Bahama District, pointed out that the role of the Royal Bahamas Police Force is to ensure that the parade is safe from criminal activity and participants and spectators enjoy themselves.

He also issued a stern warning to anyone intent on attending the parade with nefarious motives to stay away and assured that the Police Force will patrol the entire circumference of the parade.

“The entire parade area has been designated as a zero-tolerance crime zone, meaning there is no debate whether you choose to commit an offence you may be arrested.  Instead, we’d just like to say you will be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” he said.

Chief Superintendent Rolle noted that the parade has also been deemed an alcohol-free zone and further warned that it is against the law for anyone under the age of 18 to be in possession of, or consume any alcoholic beverage.

The Police Command Centre will be located in the Kipling Building on McKenzie Street for the duration of the parade and the public may also use the regular emergency lines to contact the police.

As a result of the parade, the general public is further advised that the roads in the immediate Downtown area will be closed on Thursday, February 16, 2023 from 3:00pm to 12midnight.

Those closures will include East Mall Drive, between Adventurer’s Way and Explorer’s Way; Pioneer’s Way between East Atlantic and West Atlantic Drive; Kipling Lane between McKenzie Street and East Mall Drive; McKenzie Street between Adventurer’s Way; and West Mall Drive between Adventurer’s Way and Pioneer’s Way.

The police urge motorists travelling in the area to drive with patience, extreme caution, and care, and to use East Atlantic Drive or West Atlantic Drive for better ease of traffic.

The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture has advised that the 2023 Grand Bahama Junior Junkanoo Parade which was scheduled for Saturday, February 11, 2023 has been postponed to Thursday, February 16, 2023, due to impending inclement weather. After a three-year hiatus, 24 schools, from preschool to senior high, are set to participate in the highly-anticipated cultural event. Cultural Affairs Officer in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, Monique Leary explained and has advised that all tickets sold for the parade will be honoured on the new date and asked the community to come out and support the youth of the nation. “They have been preparing and working extremely hard to put on a wonderful presentation for the community of Grand Bahama. So we just want to say to the public that the parade is still on and we hope to get the same support,” she said. Chief Superintendent Brian Rolle, Second officer in Charge of the Grand Bahama District, pointed out that the role of the Royal Bahamas Police Force is to ensure that the parade is safe from criminal activity and participants and spectators enjoy themselves. He also issued a stern warning to anyone intent on attending the parade with nefarious motives to stay away and assured that the Police Force will patrol the entire circumference of the parade. “The entire parade area has been designated as a zero-tolerance crime zone, meaning there is no debate whether you choose to commit an offence you may be arrested.  Instead, we’d just like to say you will be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” he said. Chief Superintendent Rolle noted that the parade has also been deemed an alcohol-free zone and further warned that it is against the law for anyone under the age of 18 to be in possession of, or consume any alcoholic beverage. The Police Command Centre will be located in the Kipling Building on McKenzie Street for the duration of the parade and the public may also use the regular emergency lines to contact the police. As a result of the parade, the general public is further advised that the roads in the immediate Downtown area will be closed on Thursday, February 16, 2023 from 3:00pm to 12midnight. Those closures will include East Mall Drive, between Adventurer’s Way and Explorer’s Way; Pioneer’s Way between East Atlantic and West Atlantic Drive; Kipling Lane between McKenzie Street and East Mall Drive; McKenzie Street between Adventurer’s Way; and West Mall Drive between Adventurer’s Way and Pioneer’s Way. The police urge motorists travelling in the area to drive with patience, extreme caution, and care, and to use East Atlantic Drive or West Atlantic Drive for better ease of traffic.

 

The Bahamian Brewery and Beverage Company (BBB) stepped up to the plate as a corporate sponsor last week, the country's Truly Bahamian beer company,  and made a significant donation to the Grand Bahama Platinum Knights Junkanoo Group as part of ongoing efforts to support Bahamian artistry and culture. At the company's GB Headquarters, BBB Sr. Brand manager Joel Smith presented a cheque for four-thousand dollars to the Platinum Knights Junkanoo and its leader Thomas Curry Jr.  "It was a pleasure to make a donation to the Platinum Knights junkanoo group here in Freeport for taking the initiative to showcase our brands in the New Year's junkanoo parade," he said. "The costumes were well thought out and showed such incredible attention to detail; the win was well deserved by the group." As part of its theme in the 2022 New Year's Day Parade, the four-time Grand Bahama Parade winners showcased several of the company's products, including Bush Crack, Sands Beer, Sands Pink Radler, and Budweiser in its theme: Cheers to 10 years, Drinks on us. Pictured at the check presentation, left to right, were: Shirlen Coverley, Platinum Knights - Freedancer; Thomas “Junior”, the Platinum Knights Leader; Joel Smith, Sands Beer Senior Brand Manager; and Michelle Laing, Bahamian Brewery Office Administrator.

 

The Bahamian Brewery and Beverage Company (BBB) stepped up to the plate as a corporate sponsor last week, the country's Truly Bahamian beer company,  and made a significant donation to the Grand Bahama Platinum Knights Junkanoo Group as part of ongoing efforts to support Bahamian artistry and culture. At the company's GB Headquarters, BBB Sr. Brand manager Joel Smith presented a cheque for four-thousand dollars to the Platinum Knights Junkanoo and its leader Thomas Curry Jr.  "It was a pleasure to make a donation to the Platinum Knights junkanoo group here in Freeport for taking the initiative to showcase our brands in the New Year's junkanoo parade," he said. "The costumes were well thought out and showed such incredible attention to detail; the win was well deserved by the group." As part of its theme in the 2022 New Year's Day Parade, the four-time Grand Bahama Parade winners showcased several of the company's products, including Bush Crack, Sands Beer, Sands Pink Radler, and Budweiser in its theme: Cheers to 10 years, Drinks on us. Pictured at the check presentation, left to right, were: Shirlen Coverley, Platinum Knights - Freedancer; Thomas “Junior”, the Platinum Knights Leader; Joel Smith, Sands Beer Senior Brand Manager; and Michelle Laing, Bahamian Brewery Office Administrator.