The Tribune

BAY Street will come alive with the sounds of goat skin drums, horns and cow bells as entertainers from every major Junkanoo group will showcase their talents in the much-anticipated Junkanoo Summer Festival. The event will take place every Friday and Saturday during July.

Charity Armbrister, the Ministry of Tourism’s Director of Events, said Junkanoo Summer Festival is designed to capture the competitiveness and excitement of Junkanoo for eight days.

“The major Junkanoo groups will leave the shacks and march to Bay Street for a spectacular, fun-filled rhythmic cultural competition. Groups and spectators alike will share in the fun and spirit of Junkanoo,” she said.

“The Ministry of Tourism together with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, National Junkanoo Committee (NJC) and the Junkanoo Corporation New Providence Ltd (JNCP) have planned a spectacular Junkanoo celebration for the people – live on Bay Street. The event is designed to celebrate our culture and our people, as part of the 50th anniversary of tourism in The Bahamas.”

Each week will feature a different aspect of the art form, as A and B Junkanoo groups compete for the top trophy in music, dance and costumes.

This year, the public can also get in on the action. On July 25, there will be “The People’s Rush – It’s Everybody’s Business Scrap Rushout”.

“It is an opportunity for the community to celebrate our culture by binding together on Bay Street,” Ms Armbrister explained. “Already 20 companies, including government agencies, civic groups, tour companies, youth bands and others have already confirmed their participation. Youth bands, civic organisations, government entities, sponsors and local and international businesses are invited to show out on Bay Street. There will be competitions and battles for the best banner and best float.”

On the last day, the best in Bahamian talent will take Bay Street by storm for an explosive celebration of award presentations and Bahamian recording artists.

The festival is being sponsored by Cable Bahamas, Atlantis, the Royal Bank of Canada, John Bull and Abaco Markets.

Some Family Islands will also participate in Junkanoo Summer Festival next month, including San Salvador, Long Island, Andros, Bimini, Eleuthera, Abaco and Exuma.