Heroes Weekend: Soca, DJs, Raft Up & More

March 26, 2015

[Updated with video] BHW Ltd. today [Mar 24] announced plans for its inaugural carnival weekend that will include international soca artists, DJ’s, a J’Ouvert celebration, a Parade of Bands and more.

“Bermuda Heroes Weekend will be held over National Heroes Weekend, from June 12 to 15, with events that will highlight the Island’s National heroes, including those being announced for this year,” a spokesperson said.

“Bermuda Heroes Weekend is a Signature Tourism Experience, supported by the Bermuda Tourism Authority and various local partners. BHW will have the likeness of a Caribbean-style carnival, but infused with the local culture of Bermuda.

Bermuda Heroes Weekend 2015 (1)

“BHW is a series of events organised by BHW Ltd, a team who is dedicated to providing unique cultural experiences and quality entertainment. The BHW Ltd. team is comprised of avid carnival-goers with a collective 15 years’ experience in producing successful events.

“They are a new committee whose mission is to hold a carnival in Bermuda on an annual basis. The committee has researched various carnivals around the world and has created a tailored strategy to ensure BHW is competitive, exciting, unique and most of all – Bermudian.”

Jason Sukdeo, President, BHW Ltd, says: “We are very excited to launch Bermuda Heroes Weekend. We feel that Bermuda will provide a phenomenal backdrop for this spectacular Signature Tourism Experience, which will rival those held overseas. As this is the event’s inaugural year, we look forward to providing both locals and visitors with a unique experience never before seen in Bermuda.”

Pat Phillip-Fairn, Chief Product & Experience Officer of the BTA, comments: “Carnivals around the world draw international visitors and Bermuda Heroes Weekend has the potential tol do the same here in Bermuda. Importantly, we also recognize that Jason and his team are ensuring that Bermuda’s event is sufficiently differentiated from others by highlighting local cultural elements.

“Market research tells us that such events form part of the array of cultural experiences visitors are looking for, and want to choose from, when they travel. In addition, Bermuda Heroes Weekend will help introduce a new generation of visitors to what Bermuda has to offer, while celebrating an important national holiday. On behalf of the BTA, I congratulate the team who have worked very hard to make this a reality.”

BHW will kick off on Friday, June 12, with a free live stage show on Front Street. The headliner will be soca band, Kes The Band, with performances by Kerwin Du Bois, Lyrikal, DJ Barrie Hype, DJ Crown Prince and DJ Stephen. The local entertainment will include the D.I.A. band and DJ Rusty G. The MC will be Bermuda’s own The Voice of The Village, Mr Wendell Dill.

On Saturday, June 13, there will be a traditional J’Ouvert celebration at Morgan’s complete with paint, powder and music. The event will start at 3am, which is customary to allow partygoers to celebrate while watching a beautiful Bermuda sunrise. Partial proceeds from this event will be donated to The Chewstick Foundation, pioneers of J’Ouvert-style events in Bermuda.

On Saturday afternoon, the Island will see its first-ever Parade of Bands, which will also be held at Morgan’s Point. The event will feature music trucks, stage performances, DJ’s, dance troupes and much more. Individuals interested in participating in the parade will need to purchase a costume, which is available at www.bermudaheroesweekend.com. The event is also open for spectators.

On Sunday, June 14, BHW will host Pan in the Park at Victoria Park with local musicians and bands performing on the steel pan. This will be a family-friendly event.

The Sunday will also provide opportunities for party promoters to host their own public events during BHW. To get involved, please email info@bermudaheroesweekend.com.

A Bermuda-style Raft Up will be the final event of BHW held on Monday, June 15, just off of Admiralty House, North Shore. It will be open to Bermuda’s boating community. BHW has chartered a boat specifically for visitors and residents who do not have access to a boat.

Bermuda’s National Heroes will be celebrated throughout the entire weekend and will be recognised at each event. BHW will work with the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs to ensure the celebrations will appropriately highlight the Island’s heroes.

In addition to promoting this event locally, BHW has begun promoting the weekend in targeted key markets including New York, Boston, Toronto, Miami and Trinidad.

Key partners for BHW include The Bermuda Tourism Authority, The Corporation of Hamilton, CellOne, The Fairmont Hamilton Princess, Colonial Insurance, Burrows & Lightbourne, Bermuda Motors, JetBlue and Bermuda Chamber of Commerce.

For more information on BHW, visit bermudaheroesweekend.com, email info@bermudaheroesweekend.com or call 278-1525.

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Comments (37)

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  1. biggadon says:

    AM SOOOOOOO LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS……let do this Bermuda!

  2. Raymonsd Ray says:

    “The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step”. This certainly sounds exciting :-) My family and I are looking forward to this inaugural carnival weekend…

    • Mockingjay says:

      Didnt I hear Dr. Brown use that line earlier, oh well i guess you can learn from a …….

      • Raymond Ray says:

        @ Mockingjay. If he had he too had heard it elsewhere…

        “If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?” Have you ever been asked that question? Most of us have. And what’s interesting is that I’ve never met a person who replied, “Nothing. I’m perfect just the way I am.” For most of us, it’s not a question of if we want to change, but how. We want a better tomorrow. We have desires, dreams, and hopes. Maybe we have a habit we want to break. Or a goal we want to reach. Or a skill we want to develop.
        We know instinctively that if we want our life to be different, we have to become different. In other words, we need to grow.
        But if all we needed was a desire to grow, we’d all be improving every day. So why aren’t we? I believe it’s because the idea is overwhelming. Maybe you don’t know what to do first. Or you don’t know how to be strategic.
        One thing I’d learnt over the years of my personal growth is that growth doesn’t just happen, It will
        /does requires intentionality. It requires concrete action steps. Yes, bottom-line, we all need a plan.

  3. Chris says:

    I see the committee is diversified.

  4. Islander says:

    Morgans Point plenty of space and parking great idea Waiting anxiously for schedule of times going to start preparation now for all of the events – YEZZ Trinidad Possee

  5. LiarLiar says:

    Does the partnership with JetBlue mean flight specials to Bermuda?

    Well done BHW Ltd.

  6. Unbelievable says:

    This will be great.

  7. Invader says:

    Let the fete commence

  8. Divine says:

    OOOOOOOO can’t wait, birthday weekend turnup!!! Good stuff BHW (thumbs up)

  9. Educated says:

    I have 8 friends coming down from the US for this event. We are all so excited! Call my Lucy that weekend :)

  10. UpsetwithVerdict says:

    Bermy is LIVE!!!!! Finally!!!

  11. Reggie says:

    RISR weekend…gonna be getting the blade ready for the race!

  12. Nice says:

    Great job Jason. Great team.

  13. lighty says:

    Good Job J. Finally achieving your goals. Cannot wait….”going to be on CLOUD 9 while dragging all over town, cause I loose”

  14. Skink says:

    Left Right Jahs soldiers are coming

  15. Sad says:

    Well done for the vision and action to make it happen Jason. I will be there for at least 2 of the events for sure. Don’t think the wife will let me do the 3am set tho.

    And a big thank you to the BTA for assisting yet another local venture to get off the ground.

  16. Robert says:

    Its an OBA event.. but a fun event nonetheless !!!!!

  17. Invader says:

    Its not an oba event. Jason has a vision and his following his dream.if you have nothing nice to say dont say nothing

  18. Yes I says:

    Not sure I would call it a carnival based on the fact that Carnivals elsewhere in the world are a direct celebration due to a social change within their respective communities. There is much heart and soul which is poured into “Carnivals”. To them it’s not a party, it’s a celebration. Why not call it a Bermuda Festival influenced by Caribbean-style carnival etc etc..

    Nevertheless, I’m in total support of the event and am looking forward to ALL of it!!!

    • PBanks says:

      Fair point, in this instance I think it’s moreso just the association of the name “Carnival” promotes the atmosphere they’re looking to generate.

    • Thanks why its called Bermuda Heroes Weekend…….. A Celebration of OUR Heroes.

  19. Hey naw says:

    Is it all free or just the Friday stage show?

    • Sandra Richards-Vance says:

      Hey naw,
      The Friday night concert on Front Street is free and we encourage you to attend as well as the Sunday (family environment)event Pan In The Park in Victoria Park. The other events will incur a cost. I encourage you to visit http://www.bermudaheroesweekend.com for further information on events and their associated costs.

  20. concerned says:

    Costumes??? Why does it only seem like Passion is having costumes? I’m hoping more choices are available, it will be sad if mostly everyone is wearing shirts.