The Tribune

PARAGON Concierge and Event Management together with the Bahamas Junkanoo Elite brought Bahamian culture to Canada last week as they participated in the 47th annual Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean Carnival Parade.

Commonly known as Caribana, the event is the largest of its kind in North America, with over 1.2 million visitors attending. It encompasses a three-week cultural explosion of Caribbean music, cuisine, revelry as well as visual and performing arts.  

Nelson Armaly of Paragon Concierge and Event Management said they would like to thank the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture along with the Bahamas Festival Commission for affording them the opportunity to represent the country at this high-profile celebration.

“In 2009, while attending University in Toronto, I attended the Caribana parade and saw what seemed to be all of the Caribbean countries represented besides the Bahamas. With my love of Junkanoo I was disappointed that Junkanoo wasn’t represented and wanted to find out why. I attended a meeting for the Association of Bahamians in Canada and met Bahamians Denise Huyler, Lisa Boyer, John Zonicle, Philip and past president Bruce Sawyer, who were just as interested and excited about getting our culture back in this massive parade,” Mr Armaly said.

“In 2010, we set out to make this a reality through numerous fundraising efforts and help from Bahamian local companies, including Scotiabank Bahamas, Gunite Pools, Bacardi Bahamas, the Lyford Cay Club, J S Johnson, Coca Cola, along with The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture. We are always honoured to represent for our country and all of the hard work always pays off when we pass through and see hundreds of thousands of people stop and become mesmerised by the sounds and sights of the Bahamas’ very own Junkanoo.”