The Tribune

THURSDAY will mark the 25th anniversary of Junior Junkanoo in which more than 25 schools, including four from the Family Islands, will participate.

The event will also introduce a new ticketing system that will remain in place for the remainder of the Junkanoo events.

Youth, Sports, and Culture Minister, Daniel Johnson said last night in celebration of the landmark anniversary, a movie, a book, and a calender are scheduled to come out in the new year, with help from the event’s sponsors.

“The Esso company, that has been on board from the beginning, is really pushing this as a major video presentation coming out during the Bahamas Film Festival. We want people to look for that and come out and see it,” he said.

“There’s also a book coming out and a calendar about Junior Junkanoo. But most of all, this Thursday all roads lead to downtown Bay Street to see the 25th anniversary – the silver jubilee – of Junior Junkanoo. Be there.”

Silbert Ferguson, chairman of the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence, said tickets for Junior Junkanoo will go on sale tomorrow and continue to the day of the event.

“We are leaving all doors open for the Junior Junkanoo tickets at this time,” he said. “On Wednesday and Thursday of this week, Junior Junkanoo ticket sales will be a the Kendal Isaacs gymnasium as well as Festival Place.”

Festival place will be open until 10pm tomorrow and 6pm on Thursday, Mr Ferguson said as he explained the new ticketing system.

Tickets must now be worn around the neck, displayed in an ID tag, that will be given to those attending upon arrival.

“You must wear it at all times to enter the arena and if you’re not wearing this ID with your seat configuration, you will be asked to leave the seating arena,” Mr Ferguson said.

The ticket will clearly show exactly where a person is supposed to sit in an effort to avoid the confusion of persons not sitting in their assigned seats, he explained.

Last night, police also warned that East Bay Street will be closed on Thursday to accommodate Junior Junkanoo.

Assistant Commissioner Leon Bethel said officers will be on site around 3pm to guide traffic in preparation for a complete closure by 5pm.

“We will have an advanced party of police officers coming out early around 3pm to start managing the traffic in the downtown area,” he said.

“After that we will close down all the streets leading into Shirley Street and Bay Street sometime around 5pm.”