Grand Life Magazine Winter 23-24 - Flipbook - Page 23
January 1st (New Year’s Day) on Bay Street in Nassau,
and New Year's evening in Freeport, Grand Bahama.
What is it about Junkanoo that
captures the hearts of Grand
Bahama residents and visitors?
On Grand Bahama Island, the festival takes over the
heart of Downtown Freeport, transforming the island's
thoroughfare into a cultural village featuring
Bahamian food, desserts, beverages, and other
delicacies. In the middle of the village is an
illuminated parade route awaiting the arrival of
spectacularly costumed Junkanoo groups depicting
themes, displaying dazzling banners, and performing
rhythmically synchronized dances to pulsating music
played by the musicians on the parade route, in an
extravagant show for the spectators and the judges.
When flickering flames heat the goatskin drums, the
buzz in the atmosphere begins to intensify, with all
signs indicating that it's time for the spectacular
show. Group members clad in colorful hand-crafted
costumes vibrantly rush down the parade route
powered by the sounds of horns, whistles, clanging
cowbells, and the roar of goatskin drums in the
background. Junkanoo ignites patriotism and unites
communities by paying homage to Bahamian history.
The hallmark of the grand parade is the fierce
competition between the Junkanoo groups in the
battle for monetary prizes and the coveted bragging
rights acquired from winning top categories such as
Best Music, Best Dance, Best Costume, and Best
Overall Performance.
Grand Bahama Junkanooers are a community of
artisans, craftsmen, and innovators, and the spirit of
Junkanoo is at the foundation of the Junkanoo
community. Junkanoo groups the Platinum Knights,
Superstar Rockers, The Swingers, Classic Dancers,
Kingdom Culture, Showtime, G.B. Asguards, and
Spartans remain committed to the culture despite
having endured challenging circumstances over the
.....
years. From diminishing financial support from local
sponsorships to the devastation caused by past
Hurricanes that hit the island destroying some of the
Junkanoo group's work facilities (known as
