- National youth parade largest yet
By VANESSA C. ROLLE,Guardian Staff Reporter
With an estimated 50,000 young people along the route, Sunday's National Youth Parade was recognised as the largest gathering in its 25-year history.
Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Neville Wisdom told The Guardian that the numbers represented indicate the future of The Bahamas "is in excellent hands."
"I always say that the young people in The Bahamas are the best young people in the world. I believe that and they have demonstrated that today. I just want to encourage all Bahamians to support our youth," said the minister.
Other Cabinet Ministers who participated in the parade were Minister of Housing Shane Gibson, Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe, Minister of Social Services and Community Development Melanie Griffin, Minister of Transport and Aviation Glenys Hanna-Martin and Minister of Trade and Industry Leslie Miller.
Dancing to the music of the marching bands and being entertained by military displays and the informal routines of participating groups, thousands of spectators lined the streets of Nassau along the parade route which began at Clifford Park.
Marchers as young as four and five years old were beating the goatskin drums and playing instruments, while keeping in step.
Leading off the parade were the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Rangers in full ceremonial dress. Some of the bands included The Crusaders Brass Band, the Church of God Temple Dance Troop and
the Bain and Grants Town Community Youth Band.
Project Time paid tribute to patron, Sir Durward Knowles who was chauffeured in a jeep as he waved to onlookers.
Led by founder Carlos Reid, the Youth Against Violence: Peace on Da Streets movement also made a strong showing.
Following close behind were the youth from Bahamas Faith Ministries' Youth Alive programme, promoting this year's theme, " Take The Plunge."
A showstopper for the parade was the tremendous turnout of young people from the Farm Road Community Project, who put on a wonderful display of twirling flags and dance routines to the music of the pumped up and impeccable Farm Road Marching Band.
The Pathfinders and Masterguides of the Bahamas Conference of Seventh Day Adventists was the largest contingent on the parade.
As one bystander put it, " it will take at least two days to see them all. They always bring the whole church out to participate in the parade every year. They always look good."
There were also persons from various churches and other civic organisations represented, such as Junior Achievement Bahamas, the Royal Bahamas Police Cadet Corp, Comfort House Ministries, St. Anne's Church, New Covenant Baptist Church, The Progressive Liberal Party Young Liberals, the Free National Movement Torchbearers Association, the Governor General Youth Award Programme, Golden Gates Assembly Marching Band, the Royal Ambassadors, East Street Gospel Chapel, The Englerston Urban Renewal Project, the Church of God in the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Island Youth Department and Boys Club, St Agnes, Yahweh House of Prayer 7th Day, Bahamas Red Cross Youth, Bahamas Karate Federation; Girls and Boys' Brigade, Girls Guide, and the Boys Club of the Bahamas.
Minister of Transport Glenys Hanna-Martin said the march " redirects the focus. We tend to focus on the negative. We see so many things happening in so many different aspects and areas in this country. The challenge now is to reach out to those on the fringe of falling through the cracks."
She said it is good to celebrate with the overwhelming majority of young people who are strivers and achievers.
