Drummers turned out from almost all of the Junkanoo Groups for the first of two preliminary rounds. The top five competitors in each category from each of the June 28th and July 5th heats will qualify for the Finals at the Olde Towne Mallﾒs Independence Day Street Festival on the 12th of July for $5,000 in prize monies and trophies. The first Heat was judged by Brian Gibson of the National Junkanoo Committee, Gilbert Williams and Ruth Gardiner. Fast Eddie was the M.C. The ambassador to entertainment, Peanuts Talyor M.B.E., The Honorable John ﾓChippieﾔ Chipman M.B.E. will also be involved in the judging of the Competition. 
ﾓThe Goat Skin Drum is deep in the heritage and tradition of the Bahamas. Drumming is rooted in Bahamian Culture,ﾔ says Fast Eddie ﾓthis competition gives Bahamians and other drummers the opportunity to expose their talents and take part in a positive competition.ﾔ Peanuts Taylor agrees, ﾓI am pleased that Sandyport is supporting culture because the purveyors of culture are the apostles of quality. I am delighted to be a part of this event especially at a time that the country is being culturally drained.ﾔ
The Competition is part of an ongoing contribution that The Olde Towne Mall is making to feature Bahamian culture. Every Saturday they hold a Street Festival where local artists, craftsman and storeowners display their goods along the beautiful Sandyport waterfront so guests can walk around the Old Bahamian style village and enjoy a family day. ﾓThe Street Festival is a community event that is a great occasion for showcasing Bahamian Culture. Our Bahamian concert series has been very successful with artists like Geno D, Nita and Nehemiah to name a few entertaining the crowds. We are now pleased to take this to the next level and invest in the future by encouraging the development of the islands music and heritage by rewarding excellence in an aspect that is uniquely Bahamian,ﾔ said Neale Jones director of the Olde Towne Mall.
The competitors are judged on rhythm, tone, entertainment and presentation with prizes awarded in five categories: Worldﾒs Best Mini Group, Worldﾒs Best Male Solo Drummer Adult and under 14 and Worldﾒs Best Female Solo Drummer Adult and under 14. The Solo performances will be on the drums with the Group competition including other instruments like the traditional cowbells.
Qualifiers for the July 12th Final from this Saturday were led by The Prodigal Son and the Saxons in ﾓWorldﾒs Best Mini Groupﾔ, Derek Woodside a past National Drumming Champion for Barabas & The Tribe in ﾓWorldﾒs Best Adult Male Drummerﾔ, Deandro Munnings of the Valley Boys for ﾓWorldﾒs Best Male Drummer under 14ﾒsﾔ and Wendi Bodie (pictured at right. Photo of Ashley 'Lil Chinaman' Riley above) also of the Valley Boys as ﾓWorldﾒs Best Female Drummer under 14ﾒsﾔ.
Drummers have their final opportunity to qualify this Saturday July 5th at 1:00PM. Fast Eddie advises ﾓAll competitors to come prepared, having read the rules of competition and take part in the spirit of good sportsmanship.ﾔ Entry forms may be collected at any store in the Olde Towne Mall at Sandyport or Mortimoresﾒs Candy Kitchen on East St. or Call 327-8500. Entry into the Competition is free and everyone is invited to join in the party and sing and dance along starting at 1:00PM each of the Saturdays.
