(Eleuthera, Bahamas) – Junkanoo on Eleuthera was celebrated at a new venue in Governor’s Harbour this year, one street up, and parallel to the well known Bay Front thoroughfare.  The opening ceremony for the 2013 ‘All Eleuthera’ Junior Junkanoo Parade began shortly after 4pm on Saturday, January 26 at its new venue near the Bay.

Organizers, following the parade, expressed their pleasure in the crowds who came out from all across the islands and supported the event, adding that bleachers had been promised for the 2014 parade, which would also be held in Governor’s Harbour, before being rotated once again. 

The well managed parade saw groups performing one after another, with barely any wait time in between, as schools alternated starting points from each end.  Three National Junkanoo Committee representatives out of New Providence adjudged the parade, as seven primary schools, one junior high, and two high schools lit up the parade route with bright costumes, energetic dances and sweet junkanoo music.



Mr. Johnny Butler, Eleuthera Junkanoo Committee Coordinator (left) was joined on stage by National Junkanoo officials, Dr. Linda Moxey-Brown, Director of Culture (2nd from left); Eddison Dames, Asst. Director of Culture (center); and Percy Vola Francis, National Junior Junkanoo Coordinator (far right).

National Junkanoo officials were on hand to join in the festive event, including Assistant Director of Culture, Mr Eddison Dames – who was the Master of Ceremonies (MC) for the opening.  He was joined by the Director of Culture, Dr. Linda Moxey-Brown, who was the Announcer during the parade, keeping the crowd of onlookers informed about the performing groups.  Mr. Percy Vola Francis, the National Junior Junkanoo Coordinator; and Mr. Willis Bethel, the National Junkanoo Committee Co-Chairman, were also on island for the cultural spectacle. 

Local officials who took part in the opening ceremony were Margaret Symonette, Administrator for Central and South Eleuthera; Helen Simmons-Johnson, District Education Superintendent; Kirkwood Cleare, Asst. District Education Superintendent; and Theo Neilly, Member of Parliament for North Eleuthera.

The results:

Primary Division B

1st Place – James’ Cistern Primary – Theme (Cancer Awareness) – Automatic Winner
(See James’ Cistern Primary school  Photos)

 

Primary Division A

1st  – Tarpum Bay Primary – 935 points – Theme: Sesame Street 
(See Tarpum Bay Primary School Photos)

2nd – North Eleuthera Primary – 739 points
Theme (Eleuthera Fruits)
See North Eleuthera Primary School Photos

3rd – Governor’s Harbour Primary – 716 points
Theme (God The Creator, Behold His Handy Work)
See Governor’s Harbour Primary School Photos

4th – Rock Sound Primary – 689 points
Theme (God’s Handy Work)
See Rock Sound Primary School Photos

5th – Green Castle Primary – 622 points
Theme (An Underwater Adventure)
See Green Castle  Primary School Photos

6th – Emma Cooper Primary – 615 points
Theme (The Winner In Me)
See Emma Cooper Primary School Photos

 

High School Division: Junior

1st Place – Deep Creek Middle School – 393 points
Theme (A Tribute To Team Bahamas) – Automatic Winner as the only competitor in the division.
See Deep Creek Middle School Photos

 

High School Division: Senior

  • 1st – North Eleuthera High School – 848 points
    Theme (I’se Bahamian)

See North Eleuthera High School Photos

  • 2nd – Preston H. Albury High School – 777 points
    Theme (Hip To Hop Through The Bahamas)

See Preston H. Albury High School Photos