Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival 2016 Launches With Grand Party

Beautiful Costumes, rocking Bahamian Musicians all on a breathtaking beachfront was the scene at the Da Cultural Village at Western Espanade on March 5, 2016 as the Bahamas National Festival Commission launched Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival 2016 with an electrifying party.

 Locals and visitors were in attendance at the party to get a glimpse of this year’s tantalizing costumes from 25 Junkanoo groups.

 They include: Bahamas Masqueraders; Empire of Love; Enigma; Euphoria Madness Junkanoo Carnival; Explosion; Fetish Junkanoo Carnival Company; Friends of Gus; Fusion Mas Band; Indigenous Road Fever Carnival Band; JunkaBations Limited; Junkanoo Commandos; Karisma Bahamas Carnival Company; Kebasy; Reckless Pirates; Rhythums Bahamas Carnival Band; Sidjoyney; Spillgate; Starz; Sting Carnival Band; Starz; Sting Carnival Group; Vindi Dynasty; Xtasy; Xtreme Junkanoo Carnival, Barabas and the Tribe; Eden Carnival Group and Fun Carnival Group.

 Each group will be competing for the following categories: best application of indigenous material, best section costume and best overall group.

 Pre-judging of the indigenous material was done at the launch and the winner will be revealed at the ending of the overall event.

 Attendees of the launch party also got a taste of the music with performances from Visage, Lady E, Colyn McDonald, Ira Storr and the Spank Band, Sky Juice Band,Dyson Knight, Wendi Lewis, Nehemiah Hield among others.

 Tourists who were at the launch party spoke about their excitement.

 “I’ve never been to Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival but I definitely want to come,” said Trisha Adams from Virginia.

 “I can see myself bringing a few of my friends and wearing the costumes and just dancing. It seems like it will be a great event. I can’ t wait to tell my friends.”

 “I think it’s awesome,” Lisa Wilson said. “ I love the costumes and it looks like it’s going to be nothing but a great party. A friend of mine said she went last year and said she had a great time. I think she’s planning on coming back and I am planning on coming back with her.”

 Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival, which is set for April 15-16 in Grand Bahama and May 7-9 in New Providence focuses on three aspects: amping up the music, soaking up of the culture and turning up the vibes.

 This year, promises to be even better than last with more Bahamian music, cultural offerings, food and good vibes.

 Three days – one awesome party weekend.

 CEO of Bahamas National Festival Commission Roscoe Dames said the launch party proved that Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival will be even better than last year.

 “The Carnival companies have definitely grown over the last 12 months,” he said. “As you walk around the launch you can see that everyone has product and everyone has something to sell to the consumer, who will participate in Road Fever.”

 Like last year, road to carnival kicks off in Grand Bahama with the Music Masters Semi-finalists competitionin theDa Cultural Village where Bahamian music, food and cultural offerings will be featured on April 15-16.

 The competition will feature the 20 semi-final songs and artists vying for a chance to compete for the $20,000 first prize in the final competition in New Providence.

Second and third prizewinners will receive $12,500 and $7,000 respectively.

Mr. Dames said the road to Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival will be equally exciting with the Bahamas National Festival Commission (BNFC) planning a number of awesome events.

“We are going to be releasing the videos from the semi-finalists, release the music and release other information like other participating artists in Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival

The grand party in New Providence kicks off on May 5 with Junkamania, where you can definitely soak up the culture and amp up the music.

 In Da Culture Village, not only will Bahamian music be bursting in the air, there will be delicious Bahamian food on sale and opportunities to purchase Bahamian handicraft and goods.

  The Music Masters on May 6 at Fort Charlotte at the mega stage promises to be even more exhilarating with lots of food, drinks and music, and dancing.

 Road Fever on May 7 promises to be even bigger than last year with more beautiful costumes, more music, dancing and fun.