One Thousand Expected To Attend Road March

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Organizers of a series of carnival events slatted for later this month say they expect more than one thousand people will participate in a 6-hour-long road march.

They stopped short at calling it the return of Bahamas Carnival saying it will be a much smaller event that will make way for the official return of Bahamas Carnival next year.

After a nearly three-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, 90 percent of carnival bands are expected to hit the streets for a road march in just a few weeks.

Members of the carnival community detailing plans for a series of carnival events that will all play out during survival weekend and it’s being described as three days of non-stop partying that will all take place between May 20th to May 22nd.

One of the largest events will be the May 21st road march that will include a two-mile route from Arawak Cay to Goodman’s Bay and back.

President of The Bahamas Carnival Band Owners Association Rafael Dean says there is a short amount of time, however, it should be noted this carnival will be used as a launch for the carnival that will take place next year.

A letter addressed to Dean and dated April 27th, 2022 revealed the Ministry of Health and Wellness granted permission for the road march.

The letter, which was obtained by the Nassau Guardian, notes that the event is permitted to have up to 500 people.

However, Dean says they expect they will get Ministry of Health approval for that number to be doubled.

Bahamas Carnival was last held in 2019.

A bubble carnival event was held in November. It was the first carnival-like event to be held since the Covid-19 pandemic started in March 2020.

As for the other events slated for survival weekend, which are being organized by Alpha Sounds Promotions, they will also include a mega concert and beach fete.