A new four-day cultural event has been launched embracing a carnival atmosphere and celebrating Bermuda’s heroes.

The Bermuda Heroes Weekend has been a work in progress for many years but has finally come to fruition, thanks to the support of the Bermuda Tourism Authority and various other sponsors.

The event, which will feature international soca acts, a Caribbean carnival-style parade and a boat raft up, is costing in the region $200,000 which includes performance fees and an overseas marketing campaign that hopes to attract carnival goers from the States and Caribbean.

Bermuda Heroes Weekend Ltd is headed by Jason Sukdeo, aka “D’General”, who has a long history as a DJ and putting on events in Bermuda.

His team is comprised of avid carnival-goers with a collective 15 years’ experience in producing events. The new committee, made up of Mr Sukdeo, Sandra Richards-Vance, Nalton Brangman, Jumaane Davis and Akbar Lightbourne, aims to hold a carnival in Bermuda on an annual basis.

Mr Sukdeo said the company will be monitoring how many visitors the event attracts to the Island through online registration figures for parade participants, as well as through two surveys to be taken during and after the event.

Pat Phillip-Fairn, chief product and experience officer of the BTA, said: “Carnivals around the world draw international visitors and Bermuda Heroes Weekend has the potential to do the same here in Bermuda. Importantly, we also recognise that Jason and his team are ensuring that Bermuda’s event is sufficiently differentiated from others by highlighting local cultural elements. Bermuda Heroes Weekend will help introduce a new generation of visitors to what Bermuda has to offer, while celebrating an important national holiday.”

Mr Sukdeo added: “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.”

This year’s event runs from June 12 to 15 and kicks off with a free soca show on Front Street, featuring a raft of international artists, including Kes The Band, Kerwin du Bois and Lyrikal.

Local acts are the DIA Band and DJ Rusty G. The event starts at 7pm and ends at 1am.

On the Saturday there will be a Parade of Bands starting at noon at the Morgan’s Point property and guests are able to purchase costumes through the BHW website. Registration is required to participate in the parade and entrance to the venue for non-participants will be $10. A full list of bands is to be released in due course.

The event will be followed by the J’Ouvert Celebration of Our Heroes, which runs through the night from 3am to 8am at the same venue. Organisers said: “This will be an epic standing J’Ouvert party where we will also recognise this year’s hero. We look to watch the sunrise while partying to the sweet soca music.” Part proceeds from this event will go towards the Chewstick Foundation.

The event is for over-18s and identification will be required.

On the Sunday, BHW will work with a number of promoters to provide entertainment to the public, including the Pans in the Park event at Victoria Park, in Hamilton. The concert will be made up of local and international pan players.

The weekend will culminate in a Raft Up Day, which coincides with the Edward Cross Long Distance Comet Race on National Heroes Day. The race will begin in the west of the Island and end in the east with a finish in St George’s Harbour. The raft-up will take place on North Shore outside of Admiralty House and Deep Bay. There will be entertainment and raft-up party boats leaving Hamilton at 11am.