BAHAMAS ALL-STARS MARCHING BAND TO PARTICIPATE IN NATIONAL CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL PARADE IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 8, 2019 — The Bahamas All-Stars Marching Band will be among the 15 marching bands that will participate in the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade on Saturday, April 13, 2019 in downtown Washington, D.C.

This was confirmed in a press release by Band Director Yonell Justilien, who said the band “will be arriving to Washington on tour buses from Orlando on Friday morning, April 12^th and leaving on the evening of the 14th for Orlando.” Including persons travelling with the band, the group will include a contingent of 108 persons.

“The reputation of the band’s outstanding musical ability, marching and performance skills from both local and international recognition continues to open doors to showcase the talent of young Bahamians in all areas of Performing Arts,” the release said. “We are delighted to carry the Bahamian flag to this major event in Washington DC. Our members are looking forward to putting on an exciting show with a Bahamian flare to the American audience.”

The release added: “This is another major accomplishment for our youth development organization which follows our previous performances such as the St. Patrick’s Day Festival in Ireland (2017), Florida Classics in Orlando (2011, 2012 & 2015), Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York (2014) and Howard University Homecoming Battle of the Bands in Washington DC (2013 – crowned champions).

“One of our main objective is to expose young Bahamian talent to the local and international community. I am confident that Washington and the millions of spectators and television viewers will enjoy the entertainment and high energy Bahamas All-Stars will bring to the Capital. The talents of our youth have been sharpened by these high-level exposures and there have been many tangible accomplishments, which we note as indicators of the same. To date, over 180 of our members have been awarded both academic and music scholarships from various universities across the United States and Canada. Many more are enrolled at the University of The Bahamas and others with the uniform branches of The Bahamas.”

The ‘Bahamas All-Stars’ — Youth Development Organization “was officially formed on February 11, 2011 as a non- profit organization to attract and bring together the many young Bahamians between the ages of 13-18, some of whom are at-risk individuals who possess special talents in the area of the Performing Arts.”

“They are offered free professional training and mentoring from six qualified directors,” the release stated. “The organization is more than just a marching band as it seeks to raise self-esteem and instill pride among the youth, while encouraging them to maintain academic excellence. The All-Stars provide mentoring to the members and also assist in training and equipping them with the necessary skills needed for life and higher learning.”

One of DC’s largest spectator events, the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade, presented by Events DC, is “a vibrant springtime tradition set against the backdrop of DC’s most iconic landmarks along Constitution Avenue,” according to Events DC website.

“Each year, the Festival commemorates the 1912 gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Tokyo to Washington, DC and heralds spring across the country,” the website notes. “Annually in March and April, the Festival welcomes over one million people to the nation’s capital for 25 days of programming focused on traditional and contemporary arts and culture, community spirit, and the environment.”

The one-mile parade route travels along historic Constitution Avenue, beginning at 7th Street and ending at 17th Street. Along the way it passes the National Archives, the Department of Justice, Smithsonian Museums, the Washington Monument and the White House.

Following are the marching bands participating in the 2019 National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade.

• Bahamas All Stars Band, Nassau, Bahamas