A New King on Bay Street: From Struggle to Sweet Victory

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – History was made on Bay Street as the One Family Junkanoo and Community Organization broke the Shell Saxons’ winning streak.

On Friday, One Family was announced the unofficial winners of the 2025 Boxing Day Junkanoo Parade, a victory the group says was hard fought.

Feathers, dismantled Junkanoo pieces and floors covered in glitter are a familiar sight in any Junkanoo shack after a parade. But for One Family Junkanoo and Community Organization, these remnants represent what they describe as a sweet victory.

Following the 2025 Boxing Day Parade, the group was announced the unofficial winners, also taking home titles for overall costume, top performance and best music.

Before celebrations began Friday night at their Blue Hill Road shack, the group’s chairman said the journey to Bay Street was far from easy.

Vernon Rolle – Chairman, One Family Junkanoo and Community Organization
“We were having one foot in and one foot out of the NJC and the JCNP, so we come as an organization and we made a decision that we gonna support the NJC parade. We had some backlashes, but the members wanted that.”

Rolle admitted the controversy between the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence and the National Junkanoo Committee affected the group’s morale.

He said that changed after the NJC practice rush held on Dec. 1.

Vernon Rolle – Chairman, One Family Junkanoo and Community Organization
“So after that rush I think the morale of our group lifted and we know what we gonna do and we wanted to win these two parades, and trust me this is one and one more to come.”

For Rolle, this marks his first parade win as chairman, a victory he says would not have been possible without the dedication of his members.

Looking ahead to the 2026 New Year’s Day Parade, Rolle shared the group’s vision.

Vernon Rolle – Chairman, One Family Junkanoo and Community Organization
“Praise the Lord, we’re going to church. You go to church for a wedding, you go to church for a funeral, you go to church for all kinds of things, so we want to bring a revival to Bay Street. Our country, all kinds of things happening in our country, crime is on the rise, so our country needs prayers. So we’re going to bring it to you. The family that prays together stays together.”