By BARBARA WALKIN
FREEPORT, Grand Bahama, January 2, 2024 — Pioneers Way in Downtown Freeport exploded with color, dance and thundering sounds of horns and goat-skinned drums when the nine groups competing in Grand Bahama’s 2024 New Year’s Day Junkanoo Parade lit up the “Junkanoo Zone”.
First out of the gate was Showtime, which competed in the B Division.
Its theme of “Golden Jubilee, it’s a Celebration” and the group’s lead banner invited all to continue celebrating the country’s 50th anniversary of independence with a large decorated official invitation flanked by balloons and fireworks.
The choreography and off-the-shoulder costumes of the dancers showed off an array of straw and indigenous material mixed with Bahamian colors and embellishments highlighting the islands of The Bahamas.
Bringing up the rear was a banner that illustrated the country’s support of its Caribbean counterparts.
The Superstar Rockers, the first group in A Division performed under the theme, “The Beauty of Nature”.
The parade proceeded with the Bushwhackers who followed the Rockers.
The Bushwhackers’ message is always centered around the island’s beauty, and this year was no different as the group paraded under the theme “Keeping the Forest Green and Pristine”.
The Classic Dancers, the second A Division group, had as its theme “Africa – Tour of the Motherland”.
The theme came to life with banners, dances and the musical section fully outfitted in African prints, tribal masks and animals native to south African territories while the lead costume represented the coronation of the king and queen of the Republic of Ghana.
Sting (B Division) performed under the theme “Celebrating 50 years of Junkanoo”.
Five-time champion Platinum Knights was the sixth group out.
The A Division competitors paraded under the theme “Animation and Cartoon Favorites”, taking the crowd back to the days of Looney Tunes, Scooby Doo, Tom and Jerry, Alvin and the Chipmunks, Ninja Turtles, Pink Panther, The Smurfs and many more.
Da Woman Dem group performed in the fun division under the theme “Bahamian Music or Nuttin”.
After the passing of its leader Anthony “Huck” Williams on December 24 after a long battle with cancer, the Swingers rushed in his memory.
Prior to the start of the parade, the Grand Bahama Junkanoo Corporation (GBJC) observed a moment of silence to honor Williams.
Under the theme “Let’s Get to Work – Exploring the World of Exciting Professions”, they honored Williams, who spent 40-plus years in Junkanoo.
The Swingers’ banners and costumes featured astronauts, office executives, secretaries, police officers, chefs, and many others.
Closing out the list of performers was New Generation, an exhibition group.
It presented all the flowers that symbolize a time for new beginnings and growth.
According to New Generation’s synopsis, “Our journey of discovery leads us to a destination where there is a vibrant illustration and a variety of intricate flower beds with an aroma pleasing to many insects teetering with enlivened flower seeds that invoke feelings of happiness, appreciation and affection.
The official results will be announced this morning at the Grand Bahama Junkanoo Corporation office in the Kipling Building.
NOTE: This article was published in The Nassau Guardian. See link to article in The Guardian at https://www.thenassauguardian.com/grand_bahama/junkanoo-lights-up-downtown-freeport/article_9002a684-a96c-11ee-a785-7ffa4d19886e.html
