The Tribune

By LAMECH JOHNSON

ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

DEFENDING champions The Valley Boys have been declared the unofficial winners of the New Year's Day Junkanoo parade for a second straight year, redeeming themselves from a fourth place Boxing Day finish.

With more than a half a century under its belt, the historic group edged out One Family and the Shell Saxons Superstars, who ranked second and third respectively.

The Roots, Music Makers, and the Prodigal Sons ranked fourth, fifth and sixth place.

Six Category A groups and a greater number of Category B, D and F groups stormed the main strip of downtown in the glowing costumes and huge banners, attempting to sway thousands of spectators with their music, vibrancy and energy.

Yesterday's parade kicked off exactly at midnight, and without incident, as more than a dozen groups came to Bay and Shirley streets with different themes but a common goal.

For Valley Boys, the New Year's win makes up for a less than stellar performance at Boxing Day, as group leaders admitted to The Tribune last week.

For One Family, it was a chance duplicate and improve their splendid performance from the Boxing Day parade and wow the crowd once more to pull off a victory they felt was theirs at last week's parade.

A "two straight" victory for the Shell Saxon Superstars would have quelled talks that their victory during last week's parade was handed to them and not deserved.

The Saxons were out of the gates first with the theme "Soaring to New Heights - Forward, Upward, Onward, Together".

The moment the group hit the downtown strip, screams filled the air as the spectators were forced to their feet by the level of energy given off by the Saxons. Their theme, according to a synopsis submitted by the group, called for the people of Bahamas "to live in prosperity, peace, love and unity".

The crowds grew even more intense as the brass sections of the group began playing well known songs such as "I'll fly away" written by Albert E Brumley (1929) and "Everything's Gonna Be Alright" by Bob Marley, sending the crowd into a frenzy as they joined in singing.

The Saxons were followed by the Prodigal Sons who performed with the theme "Junkanoo: A Celebration of Life." The group, hoping to change their placing from fifth to first, focused their theme on the deep history of Junkanoo, which was reflected most through their choreograph and off the shoulder performances.

Next in route, with theme "Carnival World", the Music Makers came to Bay Street and lived up their name as they dazzled the crowd with "Stop the world and let me off" by Ian Clarke and "Amazing Grace."

Following after them were the One Family Junkanoo Group who came ready to battle with a theme focused on "The Glitz and Glamour of Fashion." They stunned the crowd with their banner, a fashion hall, which held beautiful female models who exited the banner and "cat-walked" for the audience, much to their delight.

The next banner brought to Bay and Shirley Streets by an A group was perhaps the most impressive seen up to that point. The Roots Junkanoo Group, bearing the theme "Atlantis: Sunrise to Sunrise" displayed a banner depicting the Royal Towers of the Atlantis Resort, "the Mayan water slide and the mystique of an enchanted rising sun."

According to their submitted synopsis, their theme and costumes paid tribute to Sol Kerzner, "whose dream of Atlantis encouraged other men who have passed on but played significant roles in the idea, design and development of Atlantis, notable the late Gordon 'Butch' Kerzner and Jackson L Burnside III."

Once Roots and a few of the smaller division B and D groups exited Rawson's Square, the crowd went crazy as they gazed upon a huge float making its way towards the centre of that strip. The group that promised to deliver a first place performance were on their way.

The Valley Boys pulled through Bay Street and wowed the crowd with their bright, colourful and well designed costumes based on their theme "The Magnificent Wetlands of The Bahamas." Their dozen-plus off the shoulder dancers displayed the main point of their theme, which was to "portray life in the Wetlands" and many things persons would experience if they lived or visited three habitats that come under the protection of the Bahamas National Trust.

At the parade yesterday, spectator Ronicka Jones predicted a Saxons victory.

"I think the Saxons executed their theme the best," Ms Jones said. "I like them and I thought they were very lively."

Shelby Gordon, a youngster, said: "I think Valley Boys won the parade because they came out to win. Their costumes were really pretty and creative. It was designed really nice."

Krysta Smith and Bryan Bastian, attorney and intern at Murrio Ducille Attorney at Law Chambers gave their views on the parade itself and their winners of the event.

Ms Smith said: "I think Junkanoo was good. I thought the groups could have come a little bit harder but still enjoyable." "Well I missed the Saxons first lap, so I'm waiting to see them but I thought Roots did a very good job. And of course, I'm a Music Maker so of course I'm gonna be biased."

Mr Bastian, a One Family "warrior" said this: "I thought they (One Family) performed really well and the music was good. Their performance and everything was smooth sailing. They executed their theme and I hope they will New Year's Parade."

Having resided in The Bahamas for a few years, first time Junkanoo goer Keithley Woolward, St Kitts and Nevis native and lecturer at the College of The Bahamas, said that the fans were the real winners of the parade.

"All the groups did really well but I think the real winners are the spectators because they're getting a wonderful experience being out here and enjoying thrilling hours of music and culture from different groups."