By LEDEDRA MARCHE

Senior FN Reporter

lededra@nasguard.com

'Just Rush' organizers say the week-long postponement of the much anticipated event will have little or no effect on the parade or the island's economy as all of the groups are still committed to performing this weekend.

Co-ordinators made what turned out to be a right decision late Wednesday to call off the weekend of activities this Labour Day Holiday because of forecasted inclement weather.

And as predicted, the island was inundated with torrential rainfall, gusty winds and reported tornado activity in at least two settlements in the western part of the island, also washing away festivities for the annual SouthFest.

Instead, the Junkanoo rush-out is rescheduled for Saturday, June 9.

Creative Works President Peter Adderley said yesterday everything remains the same and the only difference about the activities is that they will begin on Friday, June 8.

He explained that they had considered all of the factors surrounding last weekend and the weather and made a decision which, he admits, was a close call.

While hundreds, particularly out of the capital and the Family Islands, have praised organizers for making the postponement decision early, Adderley says the full credit should go to Parade Managers Wellington Moultrie and Derick King along with Meteorologist Donna Duncombe.

"Today we think we made the best decision. The Beres Hammond concert will now take place on Friday, June 8 at the Columbus Theatre parking lot and the Just Rush Junkanoo Parade will be held on Saturday, June 9," he said.

Adderley expressed how humbled and overwhelmed he is of the support he has received from everyone and, in particular, the Junkanoo group leaders.

"We were in talks all weekend and they supported the decision. The costumes out of New Providence and the majority of their instruments are on Grand Bahama safe and sound and we intend to have a very exciting parade - bigger and better," he said.

The parade is set to begin at 6:00 p.m. with the four top finishers from the 2006 Boxing Day Parade out of New Providence: Roots, One Family, Valley Boys and the Saxons and the first and second-place finishers of the 2007 New Year's Day Parade in Grand Bahama: The Classic Dancers and Swingers.

The drawing for the order of entry was held last week in Grand Bahama and revealed that the first Junkanoo group off the block will be the Swingers, followed by the Valley Boys, Classic Dancers, Saxons, One Family and Roots.

The STING group is also slated to make a special guest performance at the rear.

The 'Just Rush' brainchild said he was also pleased the hotel bookings set for last weekend are the same for this weekend, as too, he claims, are the flights at Western Air and Bahamasair.

Pointing out that the turn of events were beyond their control, Adderley said that at the end of the day God Almighty is in charge.

"Nothing has changed. The only thing that has changed is the date. The categories are all the same, the prize monies are all the same, everything is in place and we're ready to go," he revealed.

Questioned about the impact the parade may have had on the economy during the holiday weekend as opposed to this weekend, the parade organizer said he is cognizant that there are some who had anticipated making money last weekend may not have made all that they had expected.

However, several resorts have been pegged as the residential site of the groups out of New Providence.

Xanadu will play host Roots members; the Royal Islander will hold the numbers for the Saxons; Island Palm will cater to the members of One Family and the Port Lucaya Resort will house the Valley Boys.

It was feared that with the holiday weekend already passed, the groups out of the capital may not be coming in the same numbers, but according to Adderley, the manifest for the Saxons, Valley Boys Roots and One Family has not changed.

While the groups average around 350 members, Adderley said the names on the manifest may be different but the numbers have not changed.

Bleachers are all ready, organizers have planed to provide around 4,000 to 5,000 seats.

Parade Co-manager King says plans are going excellent.

"We are looking forward to having the same level of participation with persons in and off the island."

The parade will mark the first time in the history of Junkanoo in The Bahamas that groups will compete for a prize pot totalling $142,000.

The winning group is set to collect $20,000; second place gets $15,000; third place will be awarded $10,000 and fourth place $5,000.

An additional $8,000 will be presented for the best lead piece; $10,000 for best music; $2,000 for the best sounding group passing the Seventeen Mall strip; and $2,000 for the best lead piece dancer.

Representatives from the major groups out of New Providence remained in Grand Bahama this past weekend to go over final plans for the parade.