Students Wow Crowd at Sold-out 2026 Junior Junkanoo Parade

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – 25 schools competed in the 2026 Junior Junkanoo Parade on Thursday evening to a sold-out crowd of government officials, dignitaries, thousands of locals, and even guests.

In the preschool division, there was Tiny Tots, Buttonwood, Coconut Grove, One on One, and Refresher For Kids.

Going head to head in the primary school division was One on One, Uriah McPhee, Cleveland Eneas, Gravin Tynes, T.G Glover, Carlton Francis, Eva Hilton, Woodcock, and Judith P. Thompson Primary School.

H.O Nash, D.W. Davis, T.A. Thompson and C.H Reeves all competed in the junior high divisions.

The all-age category was a showdown between two groups – Windsor School and the Anglican Central Authority, which was a combination of students from St. John’s College and St. Anne’s School.

Ending the evening’s rush was an intense face-off of the senior high schoolers, including C.V Bethel Senior High, Anatol Rodgers, Government High, R.M. Bailey and C.I. Gibson High School.

On the sidelines, fifth grader of Uriah McPhee Primary School, Ariel Newell, told us this was her first parade, admitting she was nervous, but despite her nervousness, she channeled that energy into her performance.

Denielle Miller –

“Why you was nervous?”

Ariel Newell – Participant, Uriah McPhee Primary School

“Because I don’t really like people watching me like that, so it was making me a little bit nervous.”

Denielle Miller –

“But I see you, you was dancing hard, you was rushing hard.”

Ariel Newell – Participant, Uriah McPhee Primary School

“Yes ma’am.”

Denielle Miller –

“So you put all your nerves in rushing?

Ariel Newell – Participant, Uriah McPhee Primary School

“Yes ma’am”

Deputy Co-chair of the National Junkanoo Committee, Kishlane Smith, says preparations for the parade began in the summer of 2025, with Junkanoo workshops.

She told us the purpose of junior Junkanoo is bigger than a competition, but also an avenue to integrate culture in the curriculum.

Just minutes after the 2026 Junior Junkanoo Parade concluded, officials read the results.

Taking home the victories in the pre and primary school categories were One on One Preschool and Eva Hilton Primary School.

Leading in those categories with best banner – One on One Preschool and Eva Hilton Primary School.

In the junior high school division for the third consecutive year, C.H. Reeves was named the champion.

C.H. Reeves also had a clean sweep with best music, execution of theme, best choreography, best overall group performance, and best banner.

Kishlane Smith – Deputy Co-chair, NJC

“In fourth place with a score of 751 – D.W. Davis. In third place with a score of 785 – H.O. Nash. In second place with a score of 881 – T.A Thompson, and the overall winners of the junior high division with a score of 1037 points – C.H Reeves.”

The Anglican Central Education Authority also had a clean sweep in the all-age category, leaving their only competitor, Windor School, in second place.

In the senior high school division:

Best Music – C.I. Gibson
Best Choreography – R.M. Bailey
Overall Group Performance – R.M. Bailey
Best Banner – R.M. Bailey
Overall Senior High School Division – R.M. Bailey

Additionally, overall in the Senior High School Division:

-Anatol Rodgers came in 5th with 883 points
-C.I. Gibson came in 4th with 964 points
-C.V. Bethel took home third with 961 points
-Government High came second with a score of 1,000.