NASSAU, The Bahamas - A clarion call went out for unity as the National Independence Secretariat launched the kickoff event for the country’s Golden Jubilee Celebrations.

A press conference was held at One Montague Place at #9 East Bay Street – home of the secretariat – on Monday, November 28, 2022.

Her Excellency Leslia Miller-Brice, Chairperson of The Bahamas Independence Secretariat, and Jack Thompson, Permanent Secretary, shed light on activities ahead – the first being The #Roadto50 Race scheduled for December 3, 2022.

“Today I am pleased to officially launch the country’s #Roadto50 Campaign! This campaign is designed to galvanize Bahamians from every walk of life, to become fully engaged in the celebrations and events leading up to our 50th Anniversary of Independence (July 10, 2023),” said Her Excellency.

“The #Roadto50 is a clarion call to unity. We want Bahamians, from every island and every background, to come together and celebrate this milestone in our progress as an independent nation.

“We want this to be an opportunity to reassess, reflect and revitalize what it means to be an independent nation. We want this period to allow for a deep dive into our rich and diverse culture.  We want to give renewed meaning to the phrase “Proud to be Bahamian!” And we will do this all together on the road to 50” she said.

The road race will incorporate all islands in the archipelago from Grand Bahama in the north to Inagua in the south, simultaneously on December 3. And based on registration, thousands are expected to participate.

“We are taking the #Roadto50 quite literally to start, and we want to invite the public, on all islands, to take to the road and participate in the #Roadto50 Race, which will be held on December 3rd,” Her Excellency said.
Each island will have routes for the race and participants are asked to take advantage of free registration in their category of choice: walking, running, cycling, pushing and skating.  The New Providence race starts and ends at Clifford Park.  Family Island participants can also check Celebrate Bahamas Facebook page for their island listings and routes.

This race is seen to serve two purposes. Firstly, it ignites a need and the collective push for a healthier nation. For health officials, the COVID-19 pandemic revealed health challenges particularly in non-communicable diseases.

“It is important that as we celebrate our 50th, we do so in the best shape of our lives, cognizant of the small steps we can make like drinking more water, eating more fruits and being more aware of what’s going on with our bodies,” Her Excellency said.

In this vein, the Health Village to be set up at the race site on Clifford Park is deemed equally important.

And secondly, the aim of the race is to unify the country; the secretariat is appealing to all to share ideas on its website: www.celebrate-bahamas.com
“Same as the celebrations for our 49th year of Independence, the #Roadto50 is a mammoth task involving lots of moving parts,” she said.
Permanent Secretary Jack Thompson too echoed the importance of unity not only during the road race but also in upcoming activities leading to July 10, 2023, and beyond.

“Our year-long celebrations will officially kick off in less than two months, January 2023. The tradition has evolved that every 10 years; at the start of a new decade celebrations are held on a much broader, grander scale, our 50th celebrations will be no different. In fact, Bahamians, residents and friends of The Bahamas eagerly await a celebration of first class,” he said.

He added, “Our Golden Jubilee Celebrations will present a wonderful opportunity for us to showcase the talents, creativity, hospitality, culture, athletic abilities, fine arts and cuisine, whilst promoting the beauty and charm" of our archipelagic nation.

According to Mr Thompson, the 50th Independence Anniversary offers a number of strategic opportunities for the Government and the Bahamian People. For example, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience The Bahamas and for the Diaspora to re-engage with the country, and more actively support national development.

Other activities commemorating the 50th are the 1973 Masterclass Lecture Series at the University of The Bahamas; and individuals were encouraged to participate in the logo and theme competition, the winning brand will be announced in January 2023. Individuals are also being encouraged to participate in other activities aimed at showcasing unique Bahamian culture.

Also present at the November 28 press conference were: Bahamas Consul General to Miami Curt Hollingsworth; Supt. Paul Cash, Traffic Division, Royal Bahamas Police Force; Donovan Rolle of Jay Fitness; Kandice Eldon, UB Fit; and Marcel Major, Bahamas Road Masters.

The Bahamas Independence Secretariat officially launched the 50th Independence Anniversary Celebrations during a press conference at One Montague Place at #9 East Bay Street – home of the secretariat – on Monday, November 28, 2022. Pictured left to right: Donovan Rolle of Jay Fitness; Supt. Paul Cash, Traffic Division, Royal Bahamas Police Force; Jack Thompson, Permanent Secretary; Her Excellency Leslia Miller-Brice, Chairperson of The Bahamas Independence Secretariat; Bahamas consul General to Miami Curt Hollingsworth; Kandice Eldon, UB Fit; and Marcel Major, Bahamas Road Masters.

BIS Photos/Patrick Hanna