By SANCHESKA BROWN
Tribune Staff Reporter
sbrown@tribunemedia.net
THE Bahamas National Festival Commission is “at odds” with the Bahamas Carnival Band Owners Association, after the former rejected the “scenic” route proposed by the association for the Road Fever parade, according to BCBOA President Dario Terrelli.
Mr Terrelli said the commission is “forcing the bands” to march in the inner city.
He told The Tribune that band owners are outraged that the proposed route does not take them along New Providence’s coastline. In fact he said he couldn’t understand why the commission would not opt to highlight the “best of The Bahamas”.
“We really need them to change this route, it is not the best option. These bands have had calls from people in the United States and other parts of the world inquiring about ‘playing mas’ (parading through the street) and the first thing they ask about is our beaches. They want to know if the route is along the coast or if they will get the see the beach on the way,” he said.
“That is why we suggested starting from the National Stadium, going to the six legged round-a-bout, then north to Saunders Beach or from the stadium to Baha Mar Blvd, then down to Goodman’s Bay.
“We want to capture that backdrop, it is the best in the world and we should show it off. What they want us to do is, go to from the stadium, to Thompson Boulevard, take a right at the Clarence Bain Building, take a back road onto Tonique Williams Darling Highway, to the six legged round-a-bout, on John F Kennedy Drive, Nassau Street then to the carnival grounds.
“No offence, but no one wants to come here to see Nassau Street and those other roads. They want to see beauty. I just do not understand why the commission would not want to highlight the best of the Bahamas. These people are coming here anticipating that they will ‘play mas’ along the coast, they don’t want go in the city.”
Mr Terrelli said the route has caused tension between the two groups and if the bands aren’t happy, the people won’t be happy.
The Road Fever march will be held on May 9.
Comments
Publius 9 years, 6 months ago
This whole debacle is now as sublime as it has become hilarious. I would bother to point out just how much this argument depicts a huge departure from the spirit of Carnival itself, but what's the point.
John 9 years, 6 months ago
Sounds like the Labor Day parade... Jus saying
GrassRoot 9 years, 6 months ago
lets do it at Atlantis, then there are at least some cameras and iphones taping and some crowds cheering.
asiseeit 9 years, 6 months ago
Why is it that the whole thing seems to be run by a bunch of clowns. I certainly want this crap to succeed but have an awful feeling the Bahamian people are getting ripped off once again.
GrassRoot 9 years, 6 months ago
I think participants in the Parade should get organized in a Union.
DreamerX 9 years, 6 months ago
I find your comments to be off point. Tell me which major event that does not have arguments. conflicts and settlements and I'll explain what you've missed. The only reason we know so much about the issues is because this activity is under heavy scrutiny by the media. Nothing about this event has been scandalous beyond normal business in planning events such as these.
Bahamian people getting ripped off? Explain. Or are we beyond reasoning. If you can't bring a cogent argument up, how can we fix random ramblings?
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 6 months ago
Sigh...neither option seems ideal. The Sauders route option is very long and the sun hot. No trees or buildings along the route for any type of shade. The Nassau street route is a little better , why not come straight up Bay St? There's plenty sea view
Cobalt 9 years, 6 months ago
I can't believe that everyone posting on this page is actually even considering this carnival nonsense!!!! Are y'all serious??????
Do you see the state of our country????? Our sons and daughters are blood-sporting in the streets...... the government has imposed an illegal tax system on the people...... masses of Bahamians are unemployed while foriegners are getting rich (just to name a few)!!! And y'all people are concerned about some stupid, frolic the street festival?????
How much more stupid can y'all Bahamians be????
Honestman 9 years, 6 months ago
We'll see come May 2017!
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 6 months ago
I am going to the relays hopefully I get to take a pic with Bolt!!! Yay! I am going to see Julien, I am going to see Machel. I am going to Junkamania, Music Masters and Road Fever. Not doing the Midnight Rush. I'm also going to Junkanoo in December and if they have Goombay in June I'll go to that too...I'm not going to carry on like a crazy person or parade in the street naked. I still want Brave and Gray to resign and I want an answer on the LOI and the BEC bribe
John 9 years, 6 months ago
@Cobalt : why are you so blue in the face? Even slaves use to sing and dance after working 13 hour days in the hot, sweltering sun and eating pig's guts and chicken feet for Christmas dinner. Some even got lynched.
proudloudandfnm 9 years, 6 months ago
Fete? Play mas? WTH!? I thought this was supposed to be a Bahamian thing?
asiseeit 9 years, 6 months ago
Who has $350..00 to $800.00 too spend on a costume? People do not have jobs and are killing each other just to feed their kids and they want us to party like it's 1999 and spend that sort of money on feathers? WTF am I living in LaLa land or what? These people are out to lunch and have no idea what is going on in this country. WE NEED JOBS! Idiot's!
DreamerX 9 years, 6 months ago
Oh, you may be under the idea that this is not a job/money generating attempt. Which makes me question how you can call them idiots, without understanding the intent. While, a good argument may be made about how to best stimulate our tourism economy growth, speaking as if you want the Government to simply make a new redundant, non-profit generating position so a few people can be employed, you probably don't care beyond shouting feelings about considering how to achieve growth.
asiseeit 9 years, 6 months ago
What jobs will come from this party. Will these costumes be made here? This thing will last for one week a year, what meaningful jobs can that produce? Our tourisum product is bankrupt, sun sea and sand do NOT cut it these days. Crime has made the Bahamas name MUD. Look The family islands are being avoided by boaters as they do not want their boat stolen. So I ask you who in their right mind would spend the amounts they want to wear a costume and walk the streets of Nassau? This thing is a slush fund to reward PLP faithful, nothing more, I doubt it will make it past two years. Look at who is running the show and who own the "bands", they are the only ones that will benifit from this sham.
DreamerX 9 years, 6 months ago
"Sun, Sea and Sand do not cut it"
I agree to an extent. And I believe it can be expanded to, Sun, Sand, Sea and Junkanoo doesn't cut it. Carnival, as an event world wide pulls in visitors. Saying, why not stimulate our only comparative advantage in a market, is telling the bird that it shouldn't clean it wings, because it's not flying as straight anymore. So just learn to run now. And, an event failing, does not mean the intent and the effort was not meritable. It's as if you believe investments are supposed to be guaranteed. There is risk, there is reward, there are losses. Stop thinking like the mindless herd spooked by every bush crack.
TalRussell 9 years, 6 months ago
Comrades I thinks the Bahamas National Festival Commission and the Bahamas Carnival Band Owners Association had to have plotted together to feed Tribune reporter Sancheska, one of the best, most dramatic and fictional stories ever to originate out da headquarters of Carnival 2015 ... cuz if it really a true, true story ... it is even more credible evidence that Carnival 2015, it tis even worst a nightmare than any of us could have imagined. But who really knows, if just maybe The Tribune is slowly establishing itself as the go to sucker for the supermarket version of da National Inquiry tabloid, becoming best known these days for the best in political gossip news and entertainment. You be your own judge?
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 6 months ago
The alternate route proposal is true, don't know whether the news of the rejection is true.
TalRussell 9 years, 6 months ago
Help us!!
ThisIsOurs 9 years, 6 months ago
What happened to the sandals photo (LOL LOL LOL LOL. Jesus is the headliner?)
TalRussell 9 years, 6 months ago
The only hope left for Carnival 2015, this late date in the game to attract tourists in the great numbers demanded to make back the 9.5 million dollars, would be to start running some gimmicky, creative television and print ads promoting Carnival 2015, as the only place in world during the month of May, you can come to witness Da Comrade "Sandals Man" walking da Carnival 2015 parade route. For da tourists to come visit Nassau Town, expecting a miraculous Carnival 2015 miracle ... cuz them "gimmicky acting promoters," sure as hell will need one. Why shouldn't they call upon the Comrade "Sandals Man", cuz from all appearances, they's sure as hell seem to have tried the devil and he ain't exactly working out well for them?
Amen!!
http://tribune242.com/users/photos/2015…
SP 9 years, 6 months ago
Jackass's one and all!
ADARVILLE 9 years, 6 months ago
Do we really care?? We have reel problems that need to be addressed and Carnival is not one of them!!!
TalRussell 9 years, 6 months ago
Comrade Adarville 9.5 million dollars, if that is not a real problem, pray tell what is? How many out of paychecks families could benefit? How many potential suicidal victims could we help? How many old-age-pensioners who do not qualify under our present payments system could be financially helped? How many dollars in prescription aid hardship cases could 9.5 million dollars be helping? Of course it matters.
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