Parade Pushes Through Despite Months of Uncertainty

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Junkanoo enthusiasts weigh in on the biggest parade of the season.

The competitive A-division was led by The Royal Caribbean Music Makers with “Wonders of the Deep Blue.”

Next, the defending Boxing Day champions, Shell Saxons Superstars, with “Parade of Nations: Echoes of War, Voices of Peace.”

Then, although unable to meet their starting position, the Prodigal Sons eventually made their way onto the parade route.

The B groups also brought their “A game” to the parade.

The Conquerors of Christ, Fancy Dancers, and Colours, entertained spectators.

Yet for all the groups’ best efforts, the long delays once again dampened spirits and emptied bleachers, until the most talked about groups hit the parade route.

The Trevor Davis led faction of the World Famous Valley Boys brought the buzz and energy with “The Revenge of The Anthropods”

Months of questions about if Junkanoo would actually happen, where challenges with a management shift, now justified.

Culture Minister Mario Bowleg defended government’s decision to handover the parade’s management to the National Junkanoo Committee, putting it as “protect what belongs to the Bahamian people.”

Mario Bowleg – Minister, Youth Sports and Culture

“ The only person can do that is the government of The Bahamas, who has the authority and the right to sanction any private or government organization to oversee any national event in this country.”

“Once the Bahamian people continue to control the national event, we will have no problem where days will come by, where persons saying that there will be no parade today, or there will be none tomorrow. That’s not what this is all about.”

However, not everyone feels the same way, including opposition leader Michael Pintard.

Michael Pintard – Leader, Free National Movement

“I believe that the decision made by the government was the absolute wrong decision, that they should’ve paused the transition from the JCNP to the NJC, and had a discussion after both parades would have been concluded.“

Later on, midway into the parade, Roots Junkanoo group made a bold cultural statement with their theme “Women.”

One Family Junkanoo & Community Organization brought fantasy to life with “1001 Arabian Nights Tales of Mystery and Magic.

Genesis Junkanoo Organization delivered a thoughtful and reflective performance titled “The Book of Wisdom Proverbs, Sayings & Teachings.”

Bringing the parade to a climactic close were the World Famous Valley Boys 1958, whose theme “Myths & Legends of Martial Arts” capped off the hours-long event.