BTC Investment Of Eight Hundred And Fifty Thousand Dollars In National Heritage Of The Bahamas. 5-Year Commitment To Junkanoo

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — An eight hundred and fifty thousand ($850,000) dollar investment over five years has been pledged to the Christmas Season Parades of Junaknoo by The Bahamas Telecommunication Company (BTC.)

“In total we are giving $850k (eight hundred and fifty thousand dollars) over a five year period,” said the Senior VP Brands and Communications, Marlon Johnson. “We see this financial support as the realization of a company focus, one of respect, collaboration and promotion of Bahamian culture. This is our way of helping to protect and sustain all things Bahamian,” he said. “Just as we have sponsored through the year smaller events in the community and sporting events like Carifta and the Olympic Team, BTC sees Junkanoo as a way to unite the community and promote the rich culture of the Bahamas.”

Mr. Johnson added that he hoped the BTC sponsorship would give Junkanoo groups and the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence (JCNP) the financial resources to provide the best possible show for the Bahamian public.

“It seems only fitting that BTC invest a significant and effective amount in the premier expression of culture in The Bahamas, and aid in bringing memorable Christmas Parades to Bay Street.”

Silbert Ferguson, president of the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence (JCNP) said that the long term sponsorship was meaningful and much appreciated.” Thank you so much BTC,” he said. “The Junkanoo community has long awaited a sponsor-partner of this vision and purpose. We started this journey as the JCNP in 2010 and BTC stepped forward in a meaningful way then and has continued to do so. In three short years BTC has committed over one million dollars in support of Junkanoo and it is a breath of fresh air; we are here today with a lot of gratitude. The choreographed dancers are represented here today and too are a part of this five-year funding.” Mr Ferguson said he hope other corporate partners will now emerge in support of this, the greatest show on earth.

BTC will give sponsorship of $150,000 (one hundred and fifty thousand dollars) this year in support of both senior parades on Bay Street. The parades will be named the BTC Boxing Day Junkanoo Parade and the BTC New Year’s Junkanoo Parade. This is the second successive year the Christmas season Junkanoo parades on Bay Street, a long tradition and national heritage of The Bahamas, has benefitted from BTC support.

This week BTC’s team will begin an ongoing programme of visiting the Junkanoo practise sites, meeting the members and distributing promotional items to the fans and onlookers.

Divas & Dudes, BTC’s promotional team, will again be on Bay Street during the parades to help drum up enthusiasm and distribute BTC promotional items along the route.

Last year BTC contributed $206,000 to underwrite a major portion of the expense of the junior and senior parades and for all choreographed dancers in the A&B class groups.