THE second Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival will take place on May 5-7 in New Providence, with a kick-off event from April 15-16 in Grand Bahama, the Bahamas National Festival Commission announced last night.
According to the BNFC, “intense planning is underway” for the 2016 event, which the group said will be “even better” than the inaugural festival.
The Grand Bahama kick-off will take place at Taino Beach while the main event will be staged at Da Cultural Village in Nassau.
The BNFC held its first planning meeting for carnival in mid-January. At the time, Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe said the BNFC had been mandated by Prime Minister Perry Christie to create opportunities for entrepreneurship and cultural expression.
However, he could not say how much money has been budgeted for the controversial event.
The government budgeted $9m for the inaugural Junkanoo Carnival, but due to cost overruns and other failures on the part of the commission, that spending ballooned to $11.3 million.
BNFC officials have said this year’s event will cost less than what was spent in 2015.
“We don’t intend to go beyond the budget of last year, it will definitely be less this go around. We have some numbers in mind, but nothing is firm at the moment,” BNFC Chairman Paul Major told The Tribune last month.
Last year organisers were criticised for poor planning, not enough international marketing and not announcing a headliner for the festival’s concert sooner.
Mr Wilchcombe has said this year’s festival would be more structured, better budgeted and constructed in such a way to guarantee a solid return on investment.
Comments
Honestman 8 years, 9 months ago
"Mr Wilchcombe has said this year’s festival would be more structured, better budgeted and constructed in such a way to guarantee a solid return on investment."
It will guarantee a solid return for family and friends of the governing party but not for the country as a whole. Complete waste of time. Remind me to be off island May 5 - 7.
TruePeople 8 years, 9 months ago
"let them eat cake"
TruePeople 8 years, 9 months ago
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Download the Full Mixtape @ https://1drv.ms/1nBkJtR
Honestman 8 years, 9 months ago
Can the Minister confirm the number of tourists who actually bought tickets for last year's event? I'll wager it wasn't more than 500.
TalRussell 8 years, 9 months ago
Comrades likes the Wells and Lightebourn's, we all come to Bahamaland from all kinds of backgrounds, cultures, skin colours, languages and walks of life, and somehow we seem have made our spot a paradise chain of islands.
Today's barriers is that we are the only generation willing to surrender our lands, local dialect, culture, music and foods, some say our government too, over to compete strangers. Strangers who have no connection, foundation, nor nothing in common with the natives.
Yes, we are a loving, kind, welcoming and gentle people but not if you think we need changing be more likes you is.
And, if that sounds too nationalistic for your comfort - good you that you feel uncomfortable.
themessenger 8 years, 9 months ago
Has Mr. Wilchcombe and his cronies "found" the missing $650,000 that was supposedly paid for the music festival we're all still waiting to happen???
ThisIsOurs 8 years, 9 months ago
He made an announcement about two weeks ago that they may be giving them more money to host the event in April
ThisIsOurs 8 years, 9 months ago
The fact that they don't have a budget in March 2016 says they have every intention to blow the budget to host the event. Won't be surprised if they come back and tell us they spent 20 million and then tell us to stop focusing on cost. They would do much better if they poured money into the music competition. Bahamians supported the concert, it promoted Bahamian artistic creativity and tourists worldwide love music festivals.
Emac 8 years, 9 months ago
If this was happening in any other country, during these tough economic times, the people would have taken to the streets in massive protests. But oh my Bahamians: Good at bringing each other down and only speaking out against small, petty, insignificant things that really do not matter. I guess it is a part of our culture to spend, spend, waste, waste, even when we don't have it. No worry, just keep borrowing for more unwanted stuff. Isn't that how the average Bahamian lives? So why would he or she complain about the abusive practices of this government. Das right, wear yinna lil skimpy costumes and jump aroun' like ain't no care in the world, hear?. Ya might as well enjoy it now, cause ya gon be eating bread 'n' butter soon!
Drea1 8 years, 9 months ago
Please explain how you differ from the average "oh your Bahamians". Are you taking to the streets, or waiting for enough people to do it to make you feel safe to join in? Is your complaining any more significant than the complaints of the average Bahamian? I get so tired of us constantly calling others out for doing the same thing we do all the time.
Emac 8 years, 9 months ago
Predictions 101-The PLP is gonna continue this massacre no matter what. I will bet my bottom dollar that the next election will fall around the same time as next year's carnival. That way, 1. The PLP will use this event to throw grand style PLP themed parties at the public's expense. 2 Take care of all of their cronies by offering them various positions for this event at the public's expense. 3. Drug the people and make them stuporous with all of the lights, free give-a-ways and liquor, so that the people forget all of the real issues facing the Bahamas and vote this government back in power during the height of their festive feeling.
ThisIsOurs 8 years, 9 months ago
That would make sense, nothing else does
Honestman 8 years, 9 months ago
That's a spot on prediction Emac. The PLP are so transparent to those of us that have a brain.
sheeprunner12 8 years, 9 months ago
There should be a Carnival parade on every island ......... culminating in a big road march in Nassau at the stadium........... let each island take to the streets from every direction with their own band ............ that will really make Bahamas Carnival a truly Bahamian event ......... but trying to make it a Trini copy or giving perks to political cronies to start up soca bands is not very smart or productive ....... there are enough "island people" in nassau to make this a tryly national Carnival ........... can you imagine seeing Abaco, Eleuthera, Inagua, Andros, Bimini etc on the road heading to the stadium???????? ............ COOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLL
asiseeit 8 years, 9 months ago
WHO CARES, ALL THIS HEADLINE TELLS ME IS MY TAX DOLLARS WILL BE FLUSHED DOWN THE TOILET ONCE AGAIN, OH HAPPY DAY.
EasternGate 8 years, 9 months ago
This is incredible! These SOBs have no conscience!
Emac 8 years, 9 months ago
@Drea1-You are absolutely correct! I am waiting for someone to start the spark. I am by no means a hypocrite. It still does not change the fact that the majority of Bahamians could care less about what's going on around them. As far as complaining goes, the difference is I am sincere in my complaints. The average Bahamian will bitch and complain then still vote for these SOBs, like EasternGate calls them above. Don't sleep though. Many of the people we are complaining about frequent these pages. But come on Drea, you name the time and place for the mass protest and I'll be there!
Emac 8 years, 9 months ago
lol. I concur
SP 8 years, 9 months ago
...... Turks island "Omen" for Bahamas grouping of corrupt friends, family and lovers ....
http://www.tcinewsnow.com/topstory-Pros…
It will be a day of tremendous pleasure and great triumph for all Bahamians when we too root out and prosecute Bahamian political friends, family and lovers group of thieves that have destroyed our country and people!
Soon come!
http://tribune242.com/users/photos/2015…
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