In the midst of controversy surrounding recent changes made to the upcoming Junkanoo parades, hundreds of people lined up at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs Gymnasium this morning to purchase tickets for the nation’s number one pastime.
Some of them complained that the prices were “too high.”
Their ticket purchases are essential to the government’s plans to make millions of dollars from the parades. The Minister of Youth Sports and Culture Neville Wisdom, saddled by criticism over his $1 million rental of bleachers, has said that he expects the government will make $3 million on this season’s parades.
By about 11 o’clock today, some 300 persons had lined up to purchase their tickets. An official indicated that the numbers were not as great in past years. But Minister Wisdom suggested that the slow turn out was due in part to the fact that buyers know that there are now more seats available and the system is more organized so the rush is not on to grab up tickets.
“All the confusion about tickets and ticketing, hopefully, have been eliminated,” said Minister Wisdom, who mingled with Junkanoo enthusiasts. “Our systems are fully automated.”
The first person in line was Ken Culmer who said he had been waiting from 5 a.m. Sunday. For his patience, he was given two free tickets for Rawson Square .
His reaction to the news regarding the complimentary tickets?
“Yes! I’ll be first again next year. I work hard every year to win these tickets, you know, and I’m going to be the winner for next year too. The tickets are mine.”
But Mr. Culmer took home many more tickets that he paid for.
“I plan on buying at least 14 or 15 tickets,” said Mr. Culmer, who plans to attend both the Boxing Day and New Year’s Day Junkanoo Parades. “So you know I’m entitled to something.”
The tickets range in costs between $10 and $100. The decision by the Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture to sell the tickets for as much as $100 has been roundly criticized by opposition members and other critics.
Some people in line also complained, saying that it would be impossible for them to bring their families to enjoy Junkanoo in prime locations because of the high cost of the tickets.
Lawanda Miller, who said she planned to purchase 12 tickets for both major parades, said she was very disappointed with the high prices.
“The prices must be decreased,” Ms. Miller said.
She said she did not plan to attend the special parades on Cable Beach .
Val Lightbourne, who was also on line this morning, said the prices were “outrageous.”
He said he planned on getting six tickets for Rawson Square .
“Let’s go back to the time when tickets were $25 for Rawson Square north and Shirley Street was free,” Mr. Lightbourne said. “I just want to know what’s going on now. It’s making me think that next year, I should just be in front of the TV.”
But Minister Wisdom dismissed these concerns.
“Some concerns have been expressed by certain members of the public about the prices and I say to that that everybody cannot go into Rawson Square ,” Minister Wisdom said. “We cannot accommodate everyone there. What we’ve tried to do is to make prices from $10 up. And we’ve also made standing space for people who can’t afford a ticket.”
He said he wants a parade where Junkanooers not only perform in Rawson Square but on Shirley Street and other streets.
“In fact, we have even reorganized so that judges will be everywhere on the route,” he said.
But this year will not be the first time that judges have been at other points on the route other than Bay Street . They have recently been judging along Shirley Street as well.
By Julian Reid, The Bahama Journal
