Choices just got better for persons interested in the upcoming Road Fever event as Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival companies announce costume offerings around $100 for the highly anticipated street party.

The idea is to give everyone an opportunity to experience the May 9th event, which is expected to draw interest both locally and internationally, said Dario Terrelli, president of the Bahamas Carnival Band Owners Association. He said the new option will also provide a good alternative for those who want to participate but would prefer a more conservative substitute to the offered Junkanoo Carnival costumes.

"We want to be able to accommodate everyone," Terrelli explained. "We want everyone on the road and that's why we all agreed to offer a shirt and shorts costume option.

"We know that some people need more coverage than the costumes give them now, so we want everyone to know that we will alter the regular costumes to suit a person's body type."

Terrelli said the changes reflect an understanding of the Bahamian culture, with some of the Junkanoo Carnival companies now changing the bra and bottom designs on their current costumes to allow for more coverage.

"We got a lot of calls from the public asking what they can do with their costumes and if they can wear leggings with their costumes, so we are allowing persons to wear leggings," he added.

Participants wanting to alter their costumes are encouraged to come forward as early as possible, with the Junkanoo Carnival bands needing that extra time to make the adjustments ahead of the event. While mid-April was the date for all deposits to be placed on costumes, Junkanoo Carnival companies are still willing to register people interested in the road fever parade.

To select a costume, visit www.BahamasJunkanooCarnival.com, browse through the different costumes under the section, make a selection and proceed to checkout. Once purchased, an invoice number will be given that a customer will use to redeem with the group at a later date.

The Road Fever event starts on the eastern side of the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium. Going south toward Tonique Williams-Darling High Way and at the roundabout, heading west onto Tonique Williams-Darling Highway. At the next roundabout, the street party will turn north onto the street formally known as Bethel Avenue and continue to the six-legged roundabout, where the parade will turn east onto Thompson Boulevard. Road fever will then continue onto Nassau Street and turn left onto West Bay Street at the Western Esplanade.

The first Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival, sponsored by the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC), is a collage of Bahamian culture set for May 7th-9th, 2015. It is a festive weeklong celebration where Bahamians and guests from around the world are immersed in all things Bahamian in an entertaining and interactive manner. For more information please visit www.bahamasjunkanoocarnival.com, Twitter @carnivalbahamas, Instagram: Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival and Facebook: Bahamas Carnival.

BTC has provided $1 million in funding to ensure the success of this national event. BTC has been a long-time supporter of Bahamian culture and arts and believes that this sponsorship will continue to further the evolution and growth of Bahamian culture.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian