By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

AMID a vibrant expression of Bahamian dance, sound and culture on the Western Esplanade, Prime Minister Perry Christie last night opened the second annual Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival.

Against the backdrop of tens of lanterns being launched, Mr Christie, hailing the financial growth of the festival from years one to two, claimed that the sustenance and expansion of Bahamian culture was underway as a result of Carnival.

Mr Christie added that the festival was the beginning of a “major economic interest” development in The Bahamas.

He touted the Junkanoo Carnival industry as one that would work year round, providing employment opportunities for scores of Bahamians for years to come.

The Ministers of Tourism and Culture, Obie Wilchcombe and Dr Daniel Johnson, echoed his economic sentiments.

According to Mr Wilchcombe, the ground work laid by tourism officials in recent months has translated to an increase in the number of international participants in the festival.

While he did not provide any exact figures in terms of the financial benefits experienced within the tourism sector, Mr Wilchcombe insisted that numbers would be provided in the coming weeks.

Ahead of this weekend’s festival, The Tribune reported some 140 visitors had signed on to participate in the Road Fever portion of the festival on Saturday.

Enigma Junkanoo Carnival Group co-owner Leslia Brice said 90 visitors have signed up to march with the group with a further 30 with Rhythms Bahamas and 20 with Bahamas Masqueraders.

Heading into the 2016 incarnation of Junkanoo Carnival, tourism officials said they were encouraged, suggesting that their strategic approach to attracting visitors to the festival would pay-off.

“No, at this time we don’t have specific numbers,” Mr Wilchcombe said last evening. “But as you look around tonight, you can see that tourists are out in droves, they are excited and they are enthused.

“What we wanted to do is to find an exciting way to deliver our culture in a format where guests and locals alike can interact and socialise. We are a loving, warm people and that is what draws tourists to our shores.

“When they see our culture on display as it is tonight, they want more. It is up to us to give it to them,” he added.

Last night’s opening ceremony morphed into a cultural showcase, one that featured performances, fire dance exhibition and a water show by a group of jet ski operators.

The showcase, according to Dr Johnson, was the best and only way to open “this true Bahamian expression”.

The Carmichael MP said the Department of Culture, in conjunction with the Ministry of Tourism, is prepared to unleash cultural experiences the like of which the islands of the Bahamas has never seen.

“This is what we wanted to accomplish, a festival that distinguishes The Bahamas from the rest of the world. From the water show, to the fire dancers, to this wonderful, scenic backdrop. We wanted to put The Bahamas on the map, with its culture and this is just the start.”

Last night, the Junkamania concert took centre stage live in Da Cultural Village, marking the highlight of day one.

Tonight, the Music Masters song competition takes place, in which eight finalists and 10 songs will battle for $50,000 in grand prize money.

It will be followed by Bahamian acts D Mac and Visage, along with international stars Wyclef Jean, Destra and Patrice Roberts in concert.

At noon on Saturday the Road Fever Street Parade, for which 26 groups are registered to take part, starts from the Thomas A Robinson track and field stadium. It follows a route on Bethel Avenue en route to Tonique Williams-Darling Highway, north on Blue Hill Road, west on Poinciana Drive, north on Nassau Street and back to Da Cultural Village.

The “finale concert” will close the weekend festival with performances from Tarrus Riley, Trinidadian artist Bunji Garlin, as well as a host of local artists including Julien Believe, Funky D, and the Sky Juice Band.

This year’s festival is budgeted to cost the government around $3m.