Junior Junkanoo returned to Governor’s Harbour’s main thoroughfare this year, in a grand myriad of colour, with eight schools from throughout Eleuthera showcasing their efforts, creativity and time taken to continue the national cultural parade tradition, during the final weekend in March.
At the high school level, one school each, represented in each of the three divisions. North Eleuthera High School (NEHS) performed with youthful energy in the senior high school division. Harbour Island Green School (HIGS) brought storytelling to life in their junior high school division, and Wellington Preparatory, in a show of blues and greens, displayed their creativity and talent in the all age school division. These were preceded by three schools competing for the top spot in the primary A division, including, Emma E. Cooper primary (EECP), Emily G. Petty primary (EPPS), and Laura L. Anderson primary school (LAPS); and two schools competing for the number one spot in the primary B division – Deep Creek primary (DCPS) and James’ Cistern primary (JCPS).
The parade highlighted many weeks of work and effort, with colourful lead banners, body-moving brass and drum lines, costumes of all types, a variety of choreographed dance lines, and themes that ran the gamut, from ‘Emblems of the Shallow Seas’, to Emily G. Petty’s ‘Wonders of The Bahamas’, as well as concepts like, Laura L. Anderson’s ‘Learning is Fun’.
Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Hon. Mario Bowleg, was in attendance, in support of the junior event, accompanied by the Hon. Clay Sweeting, Member of Parliament for Central and South Eleuthera, along with Kishlane Smith – from the National Junkanoo Committee (NJC), as well as other officials.
Following a brief opening ceremony, the parade got underway at about 7:00pm, and continued until just after 10pm, as each school showed off their creativity, and passion of youth for the art of junkanoo in one set of laps down the main highway, in front of the homecoming site, where food and drinks were also available for the crowd of local residents as well as visitors, who filled out both sides of the street, enjoying the cultural scene.
As the final group danced their way to the finish area, NJC representative Kishlane Smith, after witnessing the full spectacle of the junior junkanoo parade, expressed her relief that the evening had experienced such beautiful weather for the ‘under the stars’ parade, saying, “I’m happy that it was a success. I thank God that the weather held up, because the weather forecasted rain around 8pm to 11pm, but He answered our prayers.”
Commenting on competition, the turnout, and the investment into the night’s event, she added, “It was fairly judged. Everybody seemed quite pleased. And I’m so happy to see the amount of families here. Looking at the number of people around us – it’s telling – that junkanoo is alive and vibrant throughout the country. The Bahamas is an archipelago of 700 islands in cays. And so this shows that not everything is New Providence-centric. This shows that the ministry, our minister, as well as [corporate sponsors] – it shows that they’re investing into our Family Islands, and it shows that there is a keen interest to do so. The growth and the excitement, the zeal is there.”
Sharing the gratitude and appreciation organizers felt towards all who had poured their time, effort, and heart into preparing for this year’s Junior Junkanoo parade, Mrs. Smith, noted, “I’m happy to see the number of women and females that are involved. Yes, we can do it. It may not be as easy, because some things are heavier for us to do and some things are more difficult, but nothing beats a failure but a try. So, I congratulate all of the people… I don’t want it to ever be said that we didn’t appreciate the people who’ve gone the extra mile.
“Junkanoo is never easy- it’s a mammoth task. And getting people here is also a challenge… I’m from Eleuthera. I live here in Eleuthera. So I know the challenges of the schools that have traversed over water to get here. We appreciate it. And that’s why I wanted to make sure that they recognize that we appreciate them. I know the schools that are coming from way down north and way up south. I appreciate it because at the end of the day, it’s our children. If they have an interest, it will continue. And we need to ensure that the feeder system exists and remains.”
Mrs. Smith also stated the desire of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture to see even more schools on the island competing in the different divisions, and acknowledged some of the roadblocks they needed to work on to make that possible, saying, “Big roadblocks are inventory and training. We recognize that… and welcome corporate Bahamas, because it’s not an inexpensive feat. It’s a very expensive feat. It’s a major investment. But look at what the investment made did for tonight… We see the vision. We welcome the challenge. I love the fact that everyone is involved, and I love the family atmosphere that the islands bring… We did have a lot of challenges tonight, a lot. But, we’re here successfully and we appreciate that.”
A tally team readied the results as the junior junkanoo parade came to a close. So, as the final drumline made their way off of the main road, officials gathered, along with representatives of the groups who had performed, as Mrs. Smith announced the final results.
Category titles in the primary A division for best banner, costume and best music, best choreography and theme portrayal were all taken by Emily G. Petty primary.
In the primary B division, Deep Creek and James’ Cistern traded titles in a close contest, as Deep Creek claimed best group performance, and execution of theme, while James’ Cistern nabbed best costumes, choreography, best banner, and best music.
In the senior high grouping, represented solely by North Eleuthera School, as well as in the all age school division, represented by Wellington Preparatory, and the junior high division, represented by the Harbour Island Green School, there were no competitors. So, those schools took home the trophies in their categories.
Overall 2025 Junior Junkanoo Parade winners announced in the five divisions were: Emily G. Petty Primary School with 795 points in the primary A division; Deep Creek Primary in the primary B division with 631 points; Wellington Preparatory in the all age division – uncontested; Harbour Island Green School in the junior school division – uncontested; and North Eleuthera High School in the senior high school division – uncontested.
Corporate sponsorship in support of this year’s junior junkanoo was once again taken on by Disney Cruise Line (DCL) for the 2025 parade, to fund costumes, materials, and prizes for each participating school. Regional Public Affairs Director for DCL, Joey Gaskins commenting on the partnership forged over the past few years with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, said, “Over the years, Disney Cruise Line has donated over $200,000 to Junior Junkanoo here in Eleuthera. And now we’ve expanded that sponsorship this year to Abaco, where our first island destination is Castaway Cay. For us, Junior Junkanoo is a perfect opportunity to celebrate Bahamian culture and also to ensure that it is carried on in future generations by making young Bahamians have the resources they need to participate in this very important program.”
He added, “For us at Disney, creativity is what drives the storytelling. And we want to show young Bahamians that their creativity is important both for our Bahamian culture, but also can create opportunities for them as it relates to their careers.”
Official Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture Results:
High School divisions (Each Uncontested) :
- Jr. High: Harbour Island Green School
- All Age: Wellington Preparatory
- Sr. High: North Eleuthera High School
Primary School A division:
Best Banner:
1ST Emily G. Petty Primary (EGPP)- 82 PTS
2ND Laura L. Anderson Primary (LLAP) – 71 PTS
3RD Emma E. Cooper Primary (EECP) – 69 PTS
Best Music:
1ST EGPP – 133 PTS
2ND EECP – 117 PTS
3RD LLAP – 114 PTS
Best Group Performance:
1ST EGPP – 156 PTS
2ND LLAP – 147 PTS
3RD EECP – 143 PTS
Best Choreography:
1ST EGPP- 79 PTS
2ND EECP – 67 PTS
3RD LLAP – 63 PTS
Best Portrayal of Theme:
1ST EGPP – 78 PTS
2ND EECP – 70 PTS
3RD LLAP – 65 PTS
Best Costume:
1ST EGPP – 267 PTS
2ND EECP – 244 PTS
3RD LLAP – 217 PTS
Overall Primary School A Division Winner:
1ST EGPP – 795 PTS,
2ND EECP – 710 PTS
3RD LLAP – 677 PTS
Primary School B division:
Best Banner:
1ST James’ Cistern Primary (JCP) – 59 PTS
2ND Deep Creek Primary (DCP) – 56 PTS
Best Music:
1ST JCP – 107 PTS
2ND DCP – 105 PTS
Best Group Performance:
1ST DCP – 132 PTS
2ND JCP – 109 PTS
Best Choreography:
1ST JCP- 65 PTS
2ND DCP- 62 PTS
Best Portrayal of Theme:
1ST DCP – 66 PTS
2ND JCP – 62 PTS
Best Costume:
1ST JCP – 212 PTS
2ND DCP – 210 PTS
Overall Primary School B Division Winner:
1ST DCP – 631 PTS
2ND JCP – 614 PTS
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