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 Obie Wilchcombe, Permanent Secretary Harrison Thompson, Director General of Tourism Joy Jibrilu and other tourism officials.