The much-anticipated Junkanoo Summer and Goombay Summer Festivals have been relocated to Arawak Cay, from the downtown Nassau area, a move Ministry of Tourism officials say will create a more family friendly environment. Junkanoo Summer Festival is scheduled for every Saturday in July, while the Goombay Summer Festival is scheduled for every Friday in August. The venue change they said will allow for more family-oriented events, allowing for Bahamian games to be played along with various competitions; a kids corner with news and children's attractions. Hospitality tents with tables and chairs will be placed on the beach side to allow patrons to sit and enjoy their food and drinks. The changed site will also allow for less traffic hassle, road closures and parking challenges.

Each week of Junkanoo Summer will feature an electrifying event:

Week One (July 4th): Street Dance Competition: All Category A and B groups participate in a street dance competition.

Week Two (July 11th): Music Competition: The sounds of cowbells, horns and drums fill the air as Junkanoo groups face off in a music competition.

Week Three (July 18th): Full Junkanoo Competition: The groups combine music, dance and costumes for a full-on Junkanoo battle.

Week Four (July 25th): Junkanoo Finale Competition: The best of the best in the categories of drummers, bellers and others compete for cash prizes and bragging rights. There's also an award ceremony, which will climax with an all-star Bahamian Rush and concert.

Goombay Summer Festival will get underway on August 8 and will showcase various cultural delights like traditional Goombay Dancers, Ring Play, Rake n' Scrape Bands, limbo and fire dancers, Androsia fashion, a kids' corner, magic man, face painters, People to People booth and a thrilling Junkanoo rush-out.

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