By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THOUSANDS turned out to the Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival kick-off events at Taino Beach in Grand Bahama on the weekend.

The festivities began on Friday evening, with an aerobatic fly over and drop of parachute jumpers who delivered the Bahamian flag to carnival officials for the official opening at the Cultural Village.

The turnout on Friday was not as expected due to rain, however the numbers picked up significantly on Saturday evening with an estimated crowd turnout of around 10,000, according to some observers.

Prime Minister Perry Christie, accompanied by Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe, Minister for Grand Bahama Dr Michael Darville and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell, attended the kick off events.

Legendary Bahamian singer Ronnie Butler took the stage on Saturday night, performing his popular songs. Stileet and his entourage of dancers brought non-stop energy and action-packed entertainment to the stage.

After his performance, Stileet described the event as a platform for artists to display their talent.

“It is a blessing (for our Bahamian artists); it is a platform; it is about rake and scrape, and our culture,” he said.

Saturday’s concert culminated with an energetic performance by the party band, Visage. Before getting started, the group called for a moment of silence in memory of the late Bahamian artist Johnny Kemp, who died last year during the inaugural launch of BJC.

The Music Masters Semi-finals featured some 15 competitors who also delivered fantastic performances, performing 20 original songs on stage.

Avvy, Fanshawn, Lady E, Terrelle Tynes-Wilson and Sammi Star were some of the crowd favourites.

The 10 songs making it to the $20,000 cash prize finals of the Music Masters in Nassau on May 5 are: ‘Party All Night’ - Avvy Mortimer; ‘Feel that Rhythm’ and ‘I Live for the Road’ by Erica ‘Lady E’ Symonette; ‘Block The Road’ - Ebony Gibson; ‘Rhythms’ and ‘Carnival Time’ - Jive; ‘Second Time Around’ - Sammi Star Poitier; ‘Turn it Up’ by Colyn McDonald; ‘Rake and Scrape Soca Jumping’ - Terrelle Tynes-Wilson; and ‘Let’s Dig Up the Road’, Fanshawn Taylor.

Not making it this year were Sonovia Pierre, who performed, ‘I do this for the People’; Lattia, with ‘Come to Mash Up the Place’; Bantangy with ‘Mash It’; and Khiara Sherman, who performed ‘Party Shut Down’.

Freddie Munnings Jr, commissioner of the Bahamas National Festival Commission, said that over 60 new original songs were produced this year, resulting in the creation of over 200 original songs within two years. “In 2015, at the first song competition of Music Masters we were able to round up 150 original songs, which were narrowed down to 20, and then further down to 10, which resulted in one winner, Mr Sammi Star.”

“This year we had over 60 new songs, and within the last two years by our Bahamian artists have created more than 250 original songs in the Bahamas, and I think that deserves applause,” he said.

“One of our mandates was to rejuvenate and restore the entertainment industry in the Bahamas, particularly the music industry. And in order to create a music industry we must have good songs, and so now we have more than 250,” Mr Munnings said.

In addition to cultural performances, many vendors were out in full force providing Bahamian dishes, desserts, and beverages.

There were also artisans selling handicrafts, jewellery, and straw products.

Some of the beach activities that were scheduled on Saturday were postponed because of the heavy downpour, including a massive workout session, 5km run and Beach Olympics, which were set for 6am.

One of the highlights this year was the two-hour air show that took place on Saturday afternoon at Taino Beach around 2pm.

Crowds of people lined the seawall as aerobatic pilots took the skies at speeds of 600mph performing extreme manoeuvres over the water. The pilots did sky loops with smoke trailing from behind, and low flying passes to the crowd’s delight.

Spectators watched in awe as the colourful Super T aircraft, piloted by Captain Paul Schutten, travelled high up into the sky and then back down again. The aircraft’s engine roared by as the pilots performed low flying passes just above the water, upside down and sideways.

The second half of the show was delayed when it started raining around 2.45pm. Persons scampered for cover under tents, but quickly made their way back along the seawall for the second half of the show when the skies cleared again. The air show culminated with an aerial drop over Taino Beach, with parachute jumpers landing on the beach.

The Ministry of Tourism in partnership with Sun ‘n Fun, organisers of the second largest aviation show in the world, were the organisers of the air show.

Tour operator Hadley Forbes said the air show was great and reminded him of the 1960s and 1970s when Freeport was bustling.

“The hotels are full and everyone is making money and having a good time,” he said.

Mr Forbes said they will continue to promote Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival in international markets, including Brazil and the United States.