From:TheBahamasWeekly.com

Ministry of Tourism Updates
Tourism Kicks Off Junkanoo Summer Festival Before Thousands
By Lindsay Thompson, BIS
Jul 7, 2015 - 5:18:49 PM

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A straw ribbon graced the entrance to the Junkanoo Summer Festival, which kicked off on Saturday, July 4, 2015 at Arawak Cay. Pictured, second left, Permanent Secretary Harrison Thompson; Junkanoo Nymphe, Analicia Thompson; Minister of Tourism the Hon. Obie Wilchcombe, Director General of Tourism Joy Jibrilu; and Deputy Director General Ellison ‘Tommy’ Thompson. (BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna)

NASSAU, The Bahamas – It looked like a prelude to the annual Boxing and New Year’s Day parades as thousands flocked to Arawak Cay for the opening of the Junkanoo Summer Festival on Saturday, July 4, 2015.

Organized by the Ministry of Tourism, the festival will be held every Saturday during the month of July. It is aimed at showcasing the best in culture, dance and food fare.

The event will also give Junkanoo groups, on a smaller scale, an opportunity to compete in music, dance and choreography for prizes and of course, bragging rights.

Participating B Groups and their themes were: The Fancy Dancers -- Welcome to The Bahamas; Engerleston Pioneers – Sun, Sand & Sea; Conquerors for Christ – All Things Bahamian; Body of Christ – Crusaders; Genesis – Our Bahamas, Our Children, Our Future; and Colours – Junkasplash.

The A Groups and their themes: Roots – Island Life; One Family – Sun, Sand & Sea; Saxons – Festival Beach Party; Music Makers – Only The Sun Covers The Bahamas; and The Valley Boys – Pirates of The Bahamas.

A street march was also part of the festivities with fire dancers, jugglers, acrobats and the Junkanoo Nymphe who was painted in hues of blue and glittery ornaments.

Present among the crowd were Minister of Tourism the Hon. Obie Wilchcombe, Permanent Secretary Harrison Thompson, Director General of Tourism Joy Jibrilu and other tourism officials.

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A dancer of the B Group, Genesis, thrills the crowd during the opening of the Junkanoo Summer Festival on Saturday, July 4, 2015 at Arawak Cay. (BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna)

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Enjoying the show, from left: Junkanoo Nymphe, Analicia Thompson, Minister of Tourism the Hon. Obie Wilchcombe, and Director General of Tourism Joy Jibrilu at the opening of the Junkanoo Summer Festival on Saturday, July 4, 2015 at Arawak Cay. (BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna)

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The Fancy Dancers Junkanoo Group were the first out the gate, at the opening of the Junkanoo Summer Festival on Saturday, July 4, 2015 at Arawak Cay. (BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna)



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