Costumes from 25 Bahamian Junkanoo Carnival groups were put on display a the recent launch party. (Photos: Ministry of Tourism)

Beautiful costumes from 25 Junkanoo groups, the best in Bahamian music, on the beach at Da Cultural Village at the Western Esplanade set the scene for the party that launched Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival by the National Festival Commission.

Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival, set for April 15-16 on Grand Bahama and May 7-9 on New Providence focuses on three aspects -- amping up the music, soaking up of the culture and turning up the vibes. Organizers promise this year's event will be even better than the inaugural event, with more Bahamian music, cultural offerings, food and good vibes.
It will be three days comprising one awesome party weekend.

Launch party patrons were entertained with performances from Visage, Lady E., Colyn McDonald, Ira Storr and the Spank Band, Sky Juice Band, Dyson Knight, Wendi Lewis and Nehemiah Hield.

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 were the groups displaying costumes and competing for best application of indigenous material, best section costume and best overall group.

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

Bahamas National Festival Commission (BNFC) CEO Roscoe Dames said the launch party proved that Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival would be even better than last year, with more carnival companies to choose from, and everyone offering a product to suit the needs of the Road Fever participants.

Like last year, the road to carnival kicks off on Grand Bahama with the Music Masters semifinal competition in April. The competition will feature the 20 semifinal songs and artists vying for a chance to compete for the $20,000 winning purse in the final competition to be held on New Providence. The second and third prize winners will walk away with $12,500 and $7,000 respectively.

Dames said the road to Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival would be equally exciting with the BNFC planning a number of events.

"We are going to be releasing the videos from the semifinalists, 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 at Da Cultural Village; with the Music Masters on May 6 at Fort Charlotte; and Road Fever on May 7.

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