FREEPORT, Grand Bahama — After a two-year hiatus, thundering goat skin drums and gyrating dancers will be back to shake up Freeport on January 2, 2023, as the annual New Year’s Junkanoo parade returns to Grand Bahama, The Nassau Guardian reported on Tuesday, December 20.
The parade will feature nine groups: Swingers, Platinum Knights, Classic Dancers, Kingdom Ambassador Spartans, Superstar Rockers, Sting, Showtime, Bushwhackers, and newcomers – Women Dem. Participants will begin on Pioneer’s Way, turn onto East Mall Drive, then circle back through Kipling Lane.
The pause in Junkanoo celebrations was the result of Hurricane Dorian in September of 2019 followed by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Grand Bahama Junkanoo Corporation Limited President Andrew Been said groups around the island were severely impacted as shacks were damaged and Junkanoo events — a source of their income – were discontinued.
During the pandemic, groups were forced to rebuild after the storm while practices and rushouts became few to nonexistent. However, in 2022, Been finds that the Junkanoo spirit is still thriving.
“Everybody is excited,” he said. “They want the excitement to keep building. They know Grand Bahamians will appreciate what they present.”
With the parade fast approaching, Junkanoo groups around the island have been hard at work. Every weekend through December, groups have been practicing around the downtown area with Grand Bahamians crowding around eager to see what the parade will bring.
Swingers leader Anthony “Huck” Williams has noticed the interest and is looking forward to experiencing the excitement in full force.
“We’re longing for it (Junkanoo); we’re waiting for it,” Williams said. “Right now, there’s a lot of frustration on Bahamians. What better way to let loose now and let it go?”
With 42 years of experience, Williams wants to remind the public of the joys of Bahamian culture through the electrifying showmanship and dazzling costumes Swingers is known for.
He said having fun and going all out has become the motto of the Swingers.
“The show is going to begin when the Swingers come,” Williams said. “Don’t miss that first lap, because we’re going to be there live and jamming. Be there.”
As for Thomas “Junior” Curry, the parade is another chance to prove that his group, Platinum Knights, is more than just a name.
“Platinum is solid as a rock and Knights are brother and sisterhood,” Curry said.
He has been longing to showcase what the Knights can do.
“It’s really a passion for me,” Curry added. “Seeing the young kids, seeing the love that they have for it, it gives me the drive to keep going. I want the Platinum Knights organization to live on as a household name.”
Started only nine years ago, the Knights have become a recognized force.
“We found the potion,” Curry said. “From then, we’ve won two (Junkanoo) Summer Fests and four New Year’s parades straight”.
Rivaling themselves against Nassau groups, Curry explained that he stresses precision while maintaining creativity in their designs and performance.
As 2023 will be their 10th anniversary, he declared that Platinum Knights is coming with something to prove.
For another group, the return of the parade has become a reunion.
Superstar Rockers’ leader Chauncy Gray said, “Junkanoo and family are one in the same. We’ve been together for 30 years. Guys became brothers, women became sisters. What started out as something just for fun, it almost turned out like second nature.”
But Gray said that over the years, he saw public interest in Junkanoo declining. He sees this year’s parade as a beginning point to push Junkanoo more than ever.
Along with the other groups, he plans to give a show vividly showcasing Bahamian culture in full color.
“We want there to be an island-love for Junkanoo,” Gray said. “Nothing is complete about The Bahamas unless you see Junkanoo or hear Junkanoo music. So, get excited.”
Prices on ticket sales and seating information were not available at the time of publication.
Information will be released publicly by the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture closer to the date of the parade.
