FREEPORT, The Bahamas – Minister for Youth, Sports and Culture, the Hon. Charles Maynard was in Grand Bahama Monday evening to hand out seed monies to 11 groups, set to take part in the Annual New Years Day Junkanoo Parade.
Minister Maynard handed out cheques totalling more than $30,000 to the various groups during a meeting in the conference room at the Office of the Prime Minister. He also used the occasion to discuss various aspects of Junkanoo on Grand Bahama and hear the concerns of group leaders. While making the presentation of Seed Monies, Mr. Maynard also sent out an appeal to the corporate community to offer financial assistance the various groups, pointing out that outfitting a Junkanoo group is very expensive.
In his remarks, Mr. Maynard said “we know that Junkanoo is a very expensive venture and the funds that we would have brought cannot carry the groups for their presentation. And so we want to make an appeal to the corporate community in Grand Bahama to support their favourite Junkanoo group.
“This is so important! Junkanoo plays such a vital role in our society. Most people under-estimate the power of Junkanoo. It has a very strong social and civic connection and we have seen in many areas throughout New Providence and throughout the country where a simple starting of a Junkanoo group changes the whole complection of a community,” he stated.
He said they have seen through Junkanoo where young people are now more focused and are involved in activities they enjoy.
“And so it is the same thing in Grand Bahama. So supporting your favourite Junkanoo group not only allows them to put on a spectacular presentation on New Year’s morning, but it also allows them to be able to touch lives and have people participate in our number one cultural expression, starting from now in the shacks, at the practices doing things that are important.
“So, we are hoping that the Seed Money is going to go a long way, but we know that in order to get them all the way, we need the support of the corporate community,” Mr. Maynard stated.
Chairman of the Grand Bahama Junkanoo Committee, Derek King, thanked the Minister for his comments and commitment to Junkanoo.
He informed that the groups “have put their best foot forward and have been in the shack for many months and I am quite sure that the seed funding today will help them tremendously in putting on a fantastic parade as we always do. Mr. King likewise called on the corporate community who can, to help the groups saying that “it is expensive and everyone wants a fantastic parade.”
The 11 groups receiving seed money were: Arawak Invaders, Bushwhackers, Classic Dancers, Harbour Boys, Kingdom Culture, Majestic Crusaders, Superstar Rockers, Swingers, Victory Boys, Bayshore Warriors and the Rotary Club.
By Simon Lewis
Bahamas Information Services
