The Tribune

By RICARDO WELLS

Tribune Staff Reporter

rwells@tribunemedia.net

AS praise continues to roll in for one of the most successful Junkanoo parades in recent memory - last week’s Boxing Day Parade - officials of the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence (JCNP) are hoping the New Year’s Day Parade “follows suit.”

The parade will start at 2am Friday.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Dr Daniel Johnson yesterday told The Tribune that ticket sales for tomorrow’s parade have gone “extremely well”, noting that Rawson Square has been “completely sold out”.

Remaining tickets will be available for purchase today at the JCNP’s Frederick Street office.

Tickets for Scotiabank (Parliament Street to Charlotte Street) are on sale for $37.63 and John Bull (Charlotte Street to Frederick Street) tickets for $16.13.

The Boxing Day Parade started promptly at 10pm, a complete shift from the 2014 event, which endured not only a late start, but hour-long waits between some groups.

Last Friday’s parade, organisers and spectators have admitted, was definitely the best in a long time.

According to official results, the Valley Boys topped the category A division with 87.81 points, beating out 2014’s winner One Family who came in with 85.26.

The Shell Saxons Superstars, with their “Introduction - Alien Invasion” theme, took third with 84.378 points, followed by Roots in fourth and Music Makers in fifth.

The Prodigal Sons group was disqualified from the parade for failing to meet its turn of entry and for not coming to Bay Street with the prescribed minimum number of participants for an A group.

Order for New Year’s Day Junkanoo Parade

(A division)

1 - Saxons

The always-confident bunch from Mason’s Addition is expected to extend the journey theme, this time on a trip into the “Mystical World of Magic”.

Watch out; the group plans to introduce spectators to spells and tricks taught at Hogwarts, and in fact, if all indications are correct, expect to cross paths with a gypsy or two.

2 - One Family

Still contending that their “Japan - Land of the Rising Sun” theme should have been awarded first place last week, the boys from Farm Road are hoping a little Bob Marley does the trick and will bring in the New Year with “The Life of a Legend: The Marley Experience”.

Boasting two lead costumes - “Bob Live in Concert” and “Africa Unite”, the group intends to shower the crowd with “mellow vibes” from Rawson Square all the way to Shirley Street.

Could this be the best route to a “Redemption Song”? Only time will tell.

3 - Music Makers

Are you ready for carnival in January? If not, the Music Makers are set to get you revved up with their “Jump in the Line, it’s Spring Time” theme. The Fowler Street contingent is prepared to pair the lively colours of spring with the birds and flowers we have grown to expect during the season.

4 - Valley Boys

Looking to claim a consecutive victory, the boys of the Valley plan to take flight.

They will take to the parade route under the theme “Birds of a Feather March Together”.

The group said that while many of the world’s leading scientists have noted that global warming and climate change have altered environmental conditions worldwide, they want to bring home the message that if global warming and climate change are not stopped, they will have a dire impact on the country’s ecosystem.

The group is expected to feature two lead pieces: “Inagua National Park - Guard Our Heritage” and “Nature’s Finest”.

5 - Prodigal Sons

Hoping that all the issues which plagued them last Friday are behind, the group will bring the entire country to Bay Street under the theme: “Remembering the Islands of The Bahamas”.

The group plans to depict key features of all the major islands through their off-the-shoulder pieces. It’s always a perfect time for island hopping.

6 - Roots

Storming out of the gates last will be the Roots under the theme: “Indians of the Great Plains.”

The “Red Nation” is expected to rise again as the group unleashes its “Buffalo Hunt” and “Intertribal Marriage” lead costumes.

B Division

(in order of entry)

1 - Redland Soldiers

2 - Conquers For Christ

3 - Fancy Dancers

4 - Colours Entertainment

5 - Original Congos

6 - New Vikings

7 – Z Bandits

8 - Mystical Bombers

9 - Foundation

10 - Genesis

11- Exodus

12 - Englerston Pioneers

13 - Body of Christ