Music, culture, food and festivities were the main ingredients of the successful launch of Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival at Taino Beach on Friday and Saturday nights.

Thousands of residents and visitors, led by Prime Minister of The Bahamas, the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie, as well as Deputy Prime Minister, Philip 'Brave' Davis, and other members of the Cabinet, headed to the cultural festival, the largest ever in Grand Bahama.

Taino Beach, normally a quiet picturesque area, known for residents to simply enjoy the beach, play area or Tony Macaroni's, was transformed into a mega cultural village where the carnival goers could relax and enjoy the line-up of Bahamian entertainers, including the semi-finalists of the Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival Music Masters Song Competition.

ENJOYING THE NIGHT - Deputy Prime Minister the Hon. Philip Davis (left) was on hand Saturday night for the two-day launch of Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival. Also shown are: Ginger Moxey, Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival organizer and consultant to Bahamas Festival Commission; Minister of Tourism the Hon. Obie Wilchcombe and Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Dr. Michael Darville.

GREETING VISITORS - While enjoying the festivities on Taino Beach on Saturday, Deputy Prime Minister the Hon. Philip Davis spent time touring the cultural village and stopping to have a word with or pose for photos with visitors.

ALL SMILES - Deputy Prime Minister of The Bahamas the Hon. Philip Davis, and attorney Rengin Johnson, are seen during the two-day launch of Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival at Taino Beach on Saturday night.

VIEWING THE CRAFTS - Food, drinks, music, arts and craft were all on display during the official launch of Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival on Friday and Saturday. Deputy Prime Minister of The Bahamas the Hon. Philip Davis, along with Kevin Seymour (right) are seen speaking with one of the vendors.

HAVING A GOOD TIME - The nation's leaders, Prime Minister of The Bahamas, the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie and Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon. Philip Davis (left) are seen with Avvy, one of the entertainers for the evening, during the official launch of Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival at Taino Beach on Saturday night. The two-day event started on Friday.

FUN FOR ALL - Bahamians from all over the archipelago travelled to Grand Bahama for the official launch of Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival on Friday night at Taino Beach. The two-day event attracted thousands of residents and visitors. Shown from left on Saturday night are: HE Picewell Forbes, CARICOM Ambassador and Member of Parliament for Mangrove Cay and South Andros; Minister of Tourism the Hon. Obie Wilchcombe; Prime Minister of The Bahamas the Rt. Hon. Perry Christie; and Deputy Prime Minister of The Bahamas the Hon. Philip Davis. 

DPM ON ISLAND - Deputy Prime Minister of The Bahamas, the Hon. Philip Davis, was at Taino Beach on Saturday for the official launch of Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival. He is seen is Mrs. Michelle Reckly, Deputy Director of Urban Renewal 2.0. 

A GREAT SUCCESS - Officials were all smiles at the end of the two-day launch of Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival in Freeport at Taino Beach. The cultural festival started on Friday night and attracted thousands of Bahamians and visitors alike. Shown from left are: Ed Fields, Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival Commission; Deputy Prime Minister of The Bahamas the Hon. Philip Davis; and BTC's chief executive officer, Leon Williams. BTC is one the primary sponsors of Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival.