Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival officially launched on Saturday, March 5, at Da Cultural Village, Western Esplanade, with Junkanoo Carnival Groups giving a preview of the colourful panorama that will take centre stage in April at Taino Beach, Grand Bahama, then in May at Da Cultural Village in Nassau. It kicks off April 15 in Grand Bahama with the Music Masters semi-finals, as it did last year.

When the festival moves to Nassau, it will rev up Thursday, May 5, and go into high gear through Saturday, May 7, the with the highlight Music Masters final competition on the mega stage. The costumes at the launch this weekend focused on traditional natural materials, particularly straw work, fruit seeds and beach shells. Viewers had the chance to order their costumes from the creative artisan Road Fever Companies present.

Source: Bahamas Information Services

(BIS Photos/Derek Smith)